After breakfast, what hormone does the pancreas produce to regulate blood sugar?

Study for the EDAPT Metabolism and Nutrition Test. Explore interactive flashcards and multiple choice questions with insightful hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

The pancreas produces insulin after breakfast to help regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body, where it can be used for energy or stored for future use. After consuming food, especially carbohydrates, blood sugar levels rise, and insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to this increase.

This process helps to lower the blood sugar levels back to a normal range by promoting the absorption of glucose into tissues, thereby preventing hyperglycemia. The secretion of insulin is a vital part of the body's mechanism for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring that cells receive the energy they need to function properly.

Other hormones, such as glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol, play roles in regulating blood sugar as well but are typically involved in other contexts, such as responding to low blood sugar levels or stress. Glucagon, for example, works to increase blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose when blood sugar levels drop.

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