Glucose, the body's primary fuel source, isn't stored as glucose itself. Instead, excess glucose is converted and stored as glycogen in two primary locations:
Primary Storage Locations:
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Liver: The liver acts as a crucial glucose reservoir, storing significant amounts of glycogen. This glycogen is readily converted back into glucose when blood sugar levels drop, maintaining a stable supply of energy for the body. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type1/understanding-type-1-diabetes/how-the-body-processes-sugar/the-liver-blood-sugar/ explains the liver's role in both storing and releasing glucose.
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Skeletal Muscles: A substantial portion of glycogen is also stored within skeletal muscles. However, unlike the liver's readily available glycogen, muscle glycogen primarily serves as an energy source for muscle contraction itself. While some glucose from muscle glycogen can be released into the bloodstream, it's primarily used locally. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23509-glycogen details the glycogen storage in muscles. Up to 70-90% of glucose disposal during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp is stored as muscle glycogen in healthy individuals. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3248697/
Other Considerations:
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Plants: Plants store glucose in a different form called starch. https://byjus.com/question-answer/where-is-glucose-stored-in-a-plant/
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Glycogenolysis: The process of breaking down glycogen back into glucose is called glycogenolysis. This process is essential for maintaining blood sugar levels between meals. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type1/understanding-type-1-diabetes/how-the-body-processes-sugar/the-liver-blood-sugar/
In summary, the body efficiently stores excess glucose as glycogen primarily in the liver and muscles to ensure a readily available energy supply.
