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Glycemic Index for Diabetes Management: Why it is Useful
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By Apollo 24/7, Published on- 03 October 2020, Updated on - 18 October 2022
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For most people with diabetes, managing blood glucose levels is a life-long mission. They must take care of factors that affect their blood glucose levels such as nutrition, physical activity, diet, stress, water intake, medications, alcohol consumption, etc. Of all these factors, nutrition is perhaps the most important one as the foods we consume contribute directly to the blood glucose levels in our body.
However, not all foods are created equal. Some foods are digested quickly and cause a rapid increase (or decrease) in our blood glucose levels. On the other hand, there are foods that are digested slowly and contribute to a smaller and slower increase in blood glucose levels. Depending on the rate of digestion and increase in blood glucose, foods are ranked on the basis of the glycemic index (GI).
What is the glycemic index?
The glycemic index is a nutritional metric that is used to classify foods based on their impact on blood glucose levels. It was developed by a Canadian professor Dr. David Jenkins in the early 1980s. The index assigns scores (on a scale of 0 - 100) to foods depending on how quickly the carbs present in them raise the blood glucose levels.
Categories of glycemic index
Glycemic index (GI) classifies foods into 3 major categories:
Low GI: 55 or less
Medium GI: 56 - 69
High GI: 70 - 100
Foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and fats usually have a low GI. On the other hand, foods that contain sugars and refined carbohydrates have a high GI.
Factors that affect the glycemic index of foods
- Cooking time: Foods that are cooked longer generally have a higher glycemic index compared to uncooked foods or those cooked for shorter periods. Heating the foods increases the GI by increasing the availability of dietary carbs for digestive enzymes.
- Acidity: Foods that are acidic in nature have a lower GI than non-acidic foods. The acid content in foods slows down the conversion of carbs into glucose and delays their absorption into the blood.
- Fiber Content: Fiber-rich foods generally have a low glycemic index as the body takes time to break down fiber. Moreover, fiber slows down the metabolization of carbs by the digestive enzymes. This delays the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.
- Processed Food: Processed or refined foods usually have a higher glycemic index than non-processed foods. The fine particle size of refined foods supports the action of digestive enzymes by providing them a greater surface area to attack and metabolize.
- Ripeness: Ripe fruits and vegetables usually have a higher GI than non-ripe or raw foods. The higher GI of ripened fruits and vegetables can be attributed to the breakdown of complex carbs into sugars during the ripening process.
Some common foods and their GI scores
Fruits
Apples: 36
Banana: 51
Oranges: 43
Mango: 51
Strawberries: 41
Pineapple: 59
Watermelon: 76
Dates: 42
Vegetables
Carrots (boiled): 39
Pumpkin (boiled): 74
Sweet potatoes (boiled): 63
Potatoes (boiled): 78
Grains
Barley: 28
Quinoa: 53
Rolled oats: 55
White rice: 73
Brown rice: 68
Parboiled rice: 38
White rice: 73
Whole wheat bread: 74
Legumes
Chickpeas: 28
Kidney beans: 24
Lentils: 32
Soybeans: 16
Dairy products/ alternatives
Soymilk: 34
Skim milk: 37
Whole milk: 39
Ice cream: 51
Sweeteners
Table sugar: 65
Fructose: 15
Honey: 61
Benefits of glycemic index
A diet that includes low glycemic index foods is associated with certain health benefits:
- Improves blood glucose control: According to researchers, a low GI diet can reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Supports weight loss: Some studies suggest that a low GI diet may support short-term weight loss.
- Lowers cholesterol levels: Incorporating low GI foods in the daily diet may contribute to a decline in levels of both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels are associated with better cardiovascular (heart) health.
- May limit cancer risk: According to certain studies, people who consume a diet rich in high GI foods are at a greater risk of developing different types of cancers such as breast, colorectal and endometrial cancer, compared to people who follow a GI diet.
Limitations of glycemic index
Although glycemic index offers certain benefits, it is also associated with some drawbacks. Those include:
- GI doesn’t factor in the impact of a combination of 2 or more foods on blood glucose levels
- GI doesn’t take into account other factors that affect blood glucose levels, such as how the food is prepared or how much is consumed
- GI doesn’t consider foods that have little or no carbs such as eggs, chicken, fish, herbs, and spices
- GI doesn’t evaluate foods on the basis of nutrient content - some low GI foods are not exactly healthy, such as low-fat ice cream (GI 27–55)
It can also be difficult to estimate the GI of different foods. The problem is further compounded by the lack of GI ranking on the label of packaged foods.
Is the glycemic index different from glycemic load?
Yes, glycemic index (GI) is different from glycemic load (GL). GI only assigns a score to a food item on the basis of how quickly it increases blood glucose levels. It doesn't take into account the portion size or amount of the food consumed. On the other hand, glycemic load evaluates the impact of carbs on blood glucose levels by considering both the glycemic index of foods as well the quantity (gram per serving) consumed. However, just like GI, glycemic load classifies foods into 3 categories. These categories are Low (10 or fewer), Medium (11–19), and High (20 or more).
Tips for a healthy glycemic index-based diet
- Consume non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and beans such as apples, pears, peaches, and berries.
- Opt for grains in unprocessed or least-processed states. Such grains include brown rice, whole-kernel bread, stone-ground bread, steel-cut oats, whole barley, and millet.
- Reduce the intake of white potatoes and processed-grain products such as white bread and white pasta.
- Limit consumption of concentrated sweets and desserts such as fruit juices, ice cream, and sugary beverages.
- Increase the intake of foods rich in protein, such as beans, eggs (without yolk), fish, and boiled chicken.
- Reduce intake of unhealthy saturated and hydrogenated fats. Instead, opt for healthy fats found in olive oil, almonds, walnuts, and avocados. However, stick to moderate amounts.
Conclusion
Glycemic index is a useful indicator for classifying different types of foods on the basis of their impact on blood glucose levels. A low GI diet is associated with multiple benefits for diabetes management, weight loss, and cardiovascular health. However, GI also has its limitations. Therefore, efforts should be made to follow a balanced and healthy diet while being well informed of the GI of different foods.
Consult a dietitian to know more on Glycemic Index and other diet-related queries.
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