Glycemic Index Definition

In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that more than 24 million Americans had diabetes, a condition that results in excess blood sugar within the bloodstream. Because of its risks, diabetics employ a number of methods to lower their sugar levels, including the glycemic index.

Identification

• The glycemic index is a table that ranks the carbohydrates of common foods based upon how quickly they are digested by your body.

Function

• Your body breaks carbohydrates down into sugar, raising your blood sugar. The faster you digest food, the greater the rise in your sugar levels. The glycemic index serves as a reference for diabetics when planning meals.

Effects

• With the glycemic index, diabetics can combine foods with high and low glycemic index values in order to balance a meal and have a minimum effect on their blood sugar levels.

Benefits

• According to the glycemic index's official website, its benefits include managing blood sugar levels; making the body more receptive to insulin, which lowers sugar levels; weight loss; and reducing diabetes risks like heart disease and high cholesterol.

Considerations

• The American Diabetes Association cautions that although effective, you should use the glycemic index with a program of carbohydrate counting to optimize its effectiveness. A registered dietician can help you learn to count carbohydrates.