Is Glucose Good for the Liver?
Glucose plays a dual role in liver health. While the liver needs glucose for various functions, excess glucose is detrimental.
The liver is central to glucose metabolism. It stores glucose as glycogen (Glycogen: What It Is & Function) for later use when blood sugar levels drop (e.g., between meals or overnight). The liver also produces glucose through gluconeogenesis (Physiology, Glucose Metabolism - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf, Liver glucose metabolism in humans - PMC) when needed, maintaining blood sugar levels. (The Liver & Blood Sugar - Diabetes Education Online).
The Negative Effects of Excess Glucose
However, consuming excessive amounts of glucose, especially refined sugars, leads to problems. The liver stores excess glucose as fat. This fat accumulation gradually replaces liver cells, causing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ([Any excess glucose in the blood is turned into fat cells. The liver is one of the places in our bodies that stores this excess fat. Over time, liver cells are gradually replaced by fat cells, leading to non-alcohol related fatty liver disease ](reference provided in prompt)). Furthermore, sugar consumption triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals in the body, further impacting liver health ([When we eat sugar, our bodies also release inflammatory chemicals](reference provided in prompt), Sugar and the liver: what you need to know - British Liver Trust). High fructose corn syrup and other refined sugars are particularly harmful (Surprising Ways You Can Damage Your Liver, Abundance of Fructose Not Good for the Liver, Heart - Harvard ...).
Conclusion: Moderate Glucose Intake is Key
In summary, while the liver requires glucose for essential functions, excessive glucose intake is detrimental to liver health. Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding excessive sugar consumption is crucial for preventing liver damage.
