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Is the glycemic index needed or not?

Homepage Articles Is the glycemic index needed or not?

Is the glycemic index needed or not?

The glycemic index (GI) is an indicator that facilitates the selection of dietary products, especially for people with diabetes. The axis graph shows a curve that reflects changes in glucose over time after consuming a certain amount of a product that contains 50 digestible carbohydrates (i.e. carbs reduced by a fiber content). If the GI for sugar is 50, then the glucose content in the cereal can be measured on a cross-sectional basis, for example, as measured by glucose in the blood.

Table of Contents

1. Glycemic index for what it's used for

Knowledge of the glycemic index of products is particularly useful for people with diabetes. Glycemic growth control can reduce insulin demand, prevent complications of hyperglycemia, and have a beneficial effect on the lipid profile. Rapid insulin release from easily absorbable carbohydrates is also associated with increased lipid levels in fat tissue.

2. Low- and medium-GI products

Switching high-GI to lower-GI products may reduce glycated hemoglobin. They are thought to be effective in reducing body weight because they provide a longer feeling of satiety (they are usually higher in fiber). Low-GI include apples, grapefruit, mango, orange, peas, strawberries, carrots, potatoes, basmatic rice, juice, white bean, red bean, pomegranates, peanut butter, brown rice, whole grains of corn and sugar beet.

3. When you eat products with high IG

When you are exhausted after a workout and you are overloaded with muscle glycogen stores (muscle glucose breakdown) and you need to replenish them immediately, you should look for products with a high IG. High IG products include potato purée, cornflakes, French fries, white bread, chips, blueberries, melons, canned peas, ripe bananas, wheat and other sweeteners.

4. Which affects the glycemic index

Although the concept of a glycemic index is not perfect, some studies highlight the benefits of a low-carb diet. Food-containing foods delay gastric emptying and thus the absorption of glucose from the gut. This complex hinders the action of beta-amylase and thus hinders its digestion. Although the idea of a glucose index isn't perfect, a part of the research advocates the advantages of a diet with a low IG.
Source

Jeya C., Henry K., Thondore P.S., The glycaemic index: concept, recent developments and its impact on diabetes and obesity, researchgate.net/publication/265025406 (05.02.2019).
Johnson-Greene Ch., Glycemic Index Chart: GI Ratings for Hundreds of Foods, universityhealthnews.com/daily/nutrition/glycemic-index-chart/ (05.02.2019).
Pappas A., The relationship of diet and acne, „Dermato-Endocrinology” 2009, 1(5), 262–267.