Savvy Fitness – Diet & Exercise » The Effects Of A High Glycemic Index Diet

The Effects Of A High Glycemic Index Diet | Savvy Fitness – Diet & Exercise

Sep 06 2007

The Effects Of A High Glycemic Index Diet

Published by Jennifer at 6:34 pm under Diet Plans, Glycemic Index Diet

A few years ago people didn’t easily know what the glycemic index was and now it is one of the most popular diet trends available. The glycemic index is basically a measure of how much food will increase someone’s blood sugar level based on carbohydrates. Food is worse for you if there is a higher measure. With a high glycemic index food gives people a quicker, higher rise in blood sugar. A high glycemic index on a food item means that they are quickly broken down in the digestive system. Rather the lower index foods are broken down slower in the digestive tract which causes a slow rise in blood sugar. If you eat too many foods with a high glycemic index you can have obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, cancer and diabetes.

Information For Diabetes

So how does a high glycemic index work for those with diabetes. By eating foods with a low glycemic index, diabetics can have help controlling their blood sugar and keep it on a more even level. In addition eating lower index foods will reduce the chances of individuals getting diabetes in the first place in addition to the reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.

If diabetes eat high glycemic index foods then it will trigger a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. For normal individuals the pancreas will quickly produce a large amount of insulin in order to cover the rapid rise in glucose. The excess glucose is cleaned up by the insulin and the blood sugar levels will often drop back to normal. After this many will feel hungry again which causes the cycle that leads to obesity and diabetes. By eating low glycemic index foods you stomach will stay fuller since they break down slower.

In addition, by avoiding high glycemic index foods you can lose weight and improve your bodies sensitivity to insulin. The only advantage of high glycemic index foods is that they refuel your carbohydrates after exercising. However, for diabetics this still won’t apply since the blood glucose levels don’t go down in the first place.

The glycemic index shows the rate at which glucose is released into the blood. A lower rate of release is better for your body. So eating a low glycemic index is a good idea especially if you have diabetes. For more information on how to follow a low glycemic index diet you can find many resources on the internet or you can talk with your doctor about the best course of action.