Glycemic Index of Foods

All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed that simple carbohydrates are not good for health as they increase blood glucose levels rapidly, and complex carbohydrates are good because they have a slower effect on glucose levels. But this is not always true. Recent work into the Glycemic Index (GI) has changed the understanding of the relationship between ingested carbohydrates and blood glucose levels.

The glycemic index is a measure of how fast a carbohydrate triggers to raise the blood sugar. The higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response. On this basis, all carbohydrates can be assigned a value, known as glycemic index, compared to glucose. The glucose is the fastest releasing carbohydrate so it has been assigned a glycemic value of 100. A high glycemic index value for a food indicates that it results in a rapid rise in blood glucose levels and hence a spike in insulin response. Conversely, a low GI value indicates a slow rise in blood glucose and insulin levels.

The glycemic index is a better method for classifying good and bad carbohydrates as it relies upon actual blood glucose response. Let us compare the GI of two carbohydrates. Maltodextri, a glucose polymer is a complex carbohydrate, has a GI of ~100 . This means that it rapidly raises blood glucose levels. Fructose, on the other hand is a simple carbohydrate with GI of only ~20. If we do not look at their GI values, we will assume that maltodextri is better than fructose because the former is a complex carbohydrate and the later one is a simple carbohydrate. Consult glycemic index list of foods for making a low glycemic index diet.available

Benefits of Glycemic Index (GI)

Can help to control diabetes.
Improves insulin sensitivity and efficiency.
Reduces appetite for quick sugars and carbohydrates, thus avoiding blood sugar spike.
Can help people lose weight.
Can help lower blood cholesterol.
Can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

-------------------------------------------------------

Th is article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com. For more information on glycemic index and glycemic load, visit the web site http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/glycemic-inde x.html

--------------------------------------------------------

In The News:

A shocking video shows a great white shark proudly carrying around its latest victim — a dolphin — when suddenly an even bigger great white swoops in to steal the meal straight from its mouth.

A North Carolina couple taking a walk on Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina on Tuesday came across a rare, prehistoric find: a megalodon tooth.

A host of historic artifacts, including a lock of Napoleon’s hair, will be up for auction in the U.K. on Saturday.

Scientists at MIT have discovered a galaxy cluster that they say is “hiding in plain sight.”

The megalodon, which went extinct millions of years ago, was the largest shark ever documented and one of the largest fish on record. The scientific name, Carcharocles megalodon, means "giant tooth." And for good reason: Its massive teeth give scientists major clues about what the creature was like and when it died off.

It sounded too good to be true.

He was probably in his 20s and died nearly 6,000 years ago in Egypt.

Scientists are seeking a solution to the red tide crisis that that has been devastating marine life on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In a blog post, NASA said that it may never again have contact with the Opportunity rover, after the craft got caught up in a Martian dust storm in the middle of June.

The remains of a 99-million-year old beetle have been discovered, perfectly preserved in amber, fossilized resin that originates from the bark of a tree. It is believed to be the world's oldest insect pollinator and the amber provides a fascinating look at how life was nearly 100 million years ago.

Glycemic Index of Foods

Nutrition Nutrition