Of all human organs, skeletal muscle is the largest organ that stores and utilizes glucose. Accounting for an average of about 40 percent of body weight, skeletal muscle can store up to 500 grams of glucose in the form of glycogen.
It thus plays a key role in glucose metabolism, as it maintains blood glucose homeostasis. When the skeletal muscles have diminished capacity to absorb glucose despite high insulin and glucose concentrations in the blood, insulin resistance is present and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases.
In addition, skeletal muscle releases hormone-like substances called myokines—especially during physical activity—which can improve the health of other organs.