Final answer:
Consumption of glucose-rich syrup will initially raise blood sugar levels, providing a quick source of energy for exercise and potentially enhancing performance. Excess glucose not utilized right away will be stored as glycogen in liver and muscle tissue for later use during prolonged exercise. However, excessive intake without adequate exercise could lead to health issues like weight gain or diabetes mellitus.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person consumed syrup that is almost entirely made up of glucose, their body would experience a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Glucose is a primary energy source for the body, especially during exercise. Initially, this would provide a quick source of energy that could potentially enhance the person's ability to exercise, as glucose is immediately available for metabolic processes and can be used for the production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is essential for muscle contractions.
However, if the person has an excess of glucose, it can be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissue. Glycogen acts as an energy reserve and can be broken down into glucose again when needed during prolonged exercise. Hence, this stored glycogen can be beneficial as it provides sustained energy over a longer period, which is especially useful in endurance activities like marathons.
It should be noted that if the person exercises shortly after consuming a glucose-rich syrup, they might experience a boost in energy. Nevertheless, any glucose that is not used immediately will either be stored as glycogen or could contribute to fat storage if the excess is not expended. It's important to consider that excessive consumption of glucose without adequate exercise could lead to health issues such as weight gain or contribute to the development of diabetes mellitus, especially if there's a continuous imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity.