What hormone does the pancreas secrete to help lower blood sugar levels?

The pancreas secretes insulin to help lower blood sugar levels. Insulin is a vital hormone that plays a key role in glucose metabolism. When blood sugar levels rise after eating, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, allowing for its use as energy or storage in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscle tissues. This process effectively reduces the amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream, thereby maintaining homeostasis in blood sugar levels.

Understanding the function of insulin is crucial, as its deficiency or ineffective action can lead to conditions like diabetes, where blood sugar levels remain elevated. In contrast, other hormones mentioned, such as cortisol and adrenaline, primarily work to increase blood sugar levels or respond to stress rather than lower them. Glucagon, secreted by the pancreas as well, serves the opposite purpose of insulin—it raises blood sugar levels when they drop too low by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver. Therefore, insulin is the key hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels, making it the correct answer.