Journal
NUTRITION REVIEWS
Volume 61, Issue 5, Pages S49-S55Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1301/nr.2003.may.S49-S55
Keywords
glycemic index; postprandial hyperglycemia; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; obesity
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The glycemic index (GI) has proven to be a useful nutritional concept, providing new insights into the relationship between foods and chronic disease. Observational studies suggest that diets with a high glycemic load (GI X carbohydrate content) are independently associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Postprandial hyperglycemia plays a direct pathogenic role in the disease process. Lower glucose and insulin levels are associated with improved risk profile, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycosylated proteins, oxidative status, hemostatic variables, and endothelial function. Limited evidence suggests that a low-GI diet may also protect against obesity, colon cancer, and breast cancer. Diets with a high glycemic load may affect health differently in insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive individuals. Improvements in postprandial hyperglycemia can be brought about by manipulating either the type (i.e., GI) or amount of dietary carbohydrate, or both; at present, the GI appears to be more effective. (C) 2003 International Life Sciences Institute.
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