Information on Glycemic Index

The glycemic index refers to the rate at which a certain food increases a person's blood sugar levels. As food is absorbed into the body, carbohydrates are turned into glucose, which goes into the bloodstream. Some foods cause a more rapid rise in blood sugar than others, which is indicated by their score on the glycemic index. The glycemic index can be used to calculate the glycemic loads of foods, as well as to fight obesity, and both prevent and treat diabetes.

Measurement

The glycemic index of a food is determined by measuring the amount that a person's blood sugar rises after eating that food, and then comparing it to their reaction to ingesting sucrose. Sucrose, or table sugar, is typically used as the baseline for glycemic index measurements, and it is rated as 100.

Glycemic Load

The glycemic index can be combined with the amount of food consumed to create the glycemic load of a food. The glycemic load shows the affect of different amounts of particular foods on the blood sugar. In order to calculate the glycemic load of a food, one must multiply the glycemic index number by the carbohydrate grams in the amount of food to be consumed, and then divide that number by one hundred.

Obesity

The glycemic index can be useful in preventing or combating obesity. When foods that are high on the glycemic index are consumed, blood sugar will rise rapidly as a consequence. In order to reduce the levels of sugar in the blood, the pancreas will release insulin, which removes sugar from the blood and stores it as fat. Consuming foods that have a low glycemic index will reduce the amount of insulin released. Therefore, it will also reduce the amount of fat stored in the body.

Diabetes Prevention

Using the glycemic index to consume foods with a low glycemic value can greatly lower an individual's chances of developing diabetes. Individuals who eat foods that have a high glycemic value tend to have higher blood sugar levels and higher than normal insulin levels. The constant production of insulin can result in insulin resistance, a condition in which insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood sugar. When insulin resistance begins, it contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Treatment

The glycemic index is also useful to treat individuals who already have diabetes. Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, and it is treated with injections of insulin. High levels of blood sugar and insulin are damaging to many body systems, including the cardiovascular system and the eyes. The glycemic index can assist diabetics in eating foods that will keep the blood sugar low and reduce the need for injections of insulin.