Liver - the body's chemical laboratory

23 January 2024 — by Katrin Rahn  

The chemistry lab. A place full of test tubes, Bunsen burners and complex equipment. Chemists mix substances and analyze them to observe reactions and create new compounds. You can imagine the liver in the same way: A biochemical laboratory in the body that performs complex chemical reactions to neutralize toxins, process food and store vital substances.

What does the liver actually do?

The liver is responsible for many important tasks. Firstly, it filters toxins from the blood that we absorb through food or drink, for example. Medication is also processed here. It acts like a sieve that fishes harmful substances out of the blood and renders them harmless.

But that's not all. The liver also plays an important role in digestion. It produces bile, a fluid that helps digest fats in food by breaking down large fat molecules into smaller droplets.

Another exciting fact: The liver stores important nutrients such as sugar (in the form of glycogen), vitamins and iron. When our body needs them, the liver releases them into the blood. It is therefore like a storehouse for nutrients.

The liver is also a real team player. It works hand in hand with other organs such as the intestines, pancreas and gallbladder to keep our bodies healthy.

The hard facts:

  • The liver is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, below the lungs
  • It is the largest internal organ
  • The liver filters toxins from the blood and helps digestion by producing bile
  • It stores nutrients and releases them into the body when needed