What is Glycogen and Why is it Important?
Glycogen is what carbohydrates are stored as in the body’s tissues. The carbohydrates in the food you eat are converted into glucose in the liver. If they are not used, the liver then converts the glucose into glycogen. The glycogen is stored until your body needs energy, such as during a workout. The glycogen is once again converted to glucose, which the body uses as fuel. Why is Muscle Glycogen Storage Important? During an intense workout, the glycogen stored in muscles is depleted. This is why you feel fatigued, sore, or as though you are losing muscle mass. By consuming a carbohydrate protein complex immediately following your workout, you can increase the rate at which these stores are replenished, also known as the recovery period. Most athletes know that a sufficient recovery time is vital to your performance during the next workout. The Scientific Proof of the Effectiveness of Carbohydrate Protein Complexes In 1991, a research study was completed by the Department of Kinesiolog