What is the glycogen storage capacity of the liver?

The glycogen storage capacity of the liver is generally accepted to be around 100 grams. This figure reflects the liver's role in storing glycogen, which is a form of glucose reserved for energy. The liver's glycogen serves vital functions in maintaining blood glucose levels, especially during periods of fasting or intense physical activity. Once the liver glycogen stores are full, any excess glucose consumed from the diet can be converted to fat for storage in adipose tissue.

While muscle tissue also stores glycogen, its capacity is much higher than that of the liver, typically accounting for larger amounts depending on muscle mass. Understanding the liver's capacity to store glycogen is important in sports nutrition, particularly for athletes who need to manage energy levels effectively during training and competition.