Re: weight/elasticity

The body has two main energy stores: Fat (Triacylglycerol) and some carbohydrate which is mainly stored as glycogen (a polymer (lots of glucose) molecules) in the liver and muscles.

However glycogen is a branched and very polar molecule which binds water molecules such that 1g of glycogen binds 2 - 3g of water. Hence 100g of stored glycogen in the liver is approximately 30g glucose and 70g of water.

Stored glycogen is the first store the body turns to in the fasted state, its breakdown yielding the water which results in the dramatic weight loss noted when food is first withdrawn.

Humans typically store 500g glucose in the form of glycogen, which means an additional 1.5kg of water stored with it.

John. Tweet