Low glycemic index diet foods digest slowly. This causes steady release of glucose into the blood. The requirement of insulin hormone to keep the blood sugar level in check also reduced. Intake of these foods is quite beneficial for obese diabetic patients.
The term glycemic index was coined by researchers at the University of Toronto in 1980-81 in order to find out foods beneficial for diabetics. It is used to measure the effect of carbohydrate on the blood sugar level.
Researchers from the same university and St. Michael’s Hospital found that diet with low GI value in comparison to high—cereal fiber diet not only controlled sugar levels but also reduced the risk of heart ailments.
Knowledge Gained from Research on Low Glycemic Index Diet:
- The study was carried out in 210 type 2 diabetic patients who were given either low GI diet or high—cereal fiber diet for six months.
- Foods like beans, nuts, peas, lentils, pasta, rice boiled were given to patients placed under low GI diet group.
- Whole grain breads, whole wheat bread, brown rice, cereals, potatoes with skins, crackers and breakfast cereals were given to high—cereal fiber diet group.
- Five servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit were given commonly to both groups.
- The study found that a factor called hemoglobin A1c associated with sugar levels in the blood reduced in low GI diet group by 50 percent compared to mere 18 percent reduction in high-cereal fiber group.
- The ratio between LDL cholesterol and the HDL cholesterol also reduced in low GI diet group.
- It meant that the levels of bad LDL reduced and the levels of good HDL increased in the blood.
LDL cholesterol is considered bad beyond its normal range because it blocks the pathways of heart with cell debris called plaque rising the risk of heart ailments. HDL cholesterol is good as it removes the plaques from the pathways ensuring flow of oxygen rich blood from heart to the entire body.
Conclusion: Obese people are always at high risk of developing heart complications and the risk is further enhanced by type 2 diabetes. Low glycemic index diet can prove to address both these menaces simulataneously much to the delight of patients, their loved ones and the doctors.
