Excess sucrose

[molecchemgrad]

If a person were to eat an excessive amount of sugar over a long period of time what would happen metabolically and physiologically?

 

I know that a large amount of acetyl coA would be produced after the glycolytic pathway, producing a large amount of citrate, but would this citrate inhibit the phosphofructokinase enzyme of glycolysis even though there is a great amount of glucose coming in that would favor the glycolytic pathway?

Edited March 25, 2013 by molecchemgrad

[BabcockHall]

I am not certain. I think that citrate would also activate acetyl CoA carboxylase, which would promote fatty acid biosynthesis. That is little more than speculation on my part, however.

[Dekan]

Humming-birds eat only sugar, which they suck up in liquid form, from flowers.

 

The sugar seems to give the humming-birds great energy. It lets them beat their wings at an amazing speed.

 

Could we follow their example, and just eat sugar?

 

 

 

 

[Bill Angel]

Besides sugar, nectar also contains very small amounts of protein, and sodium and potassium salts. However, hummingbirds get most of their protein by eating small insects for a short time each day.