The glycemic index: methodology and clinical implications

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 54; no. 5; pp. 846 - 854
• Main Authors: Wolever, TM, Jenkins, DJ, Jenkins, AL, Josse, RG
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.11.1991; American Society for Clinical Nutrition
• Subjects: ALIMENTOS; analysis; ANALYTICAL METHODS; Biological and medical sciences; blood; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Specimen Collection; Blood Specimen Collection - methods; BLOOD SUGAR; carbohydrate; classification; CORPS GRAS; DIABETE; DIABETES; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - diet therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; DIET; diet therapy; DIETA; dietary fat; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fats - pharmacology; dietary protein; Dietary Proteins; Dietary Proteins - pharmacology; ECHANTILLONNAGE; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Fasting; FATS; Food; Food - classification; FOOD ANALYSIS; FOODS; GLICEMIA; GLYCAEMIA; glycemic index; GLYCEMIE; GRASAS; Humans; LITERATURE REVIEWS; Management. Various non-drug treatments. Langerhans islet grafts; MEALS; Medical sciences; Methods; Models, Biological; MUESTREO; pharmacology; PORTION SIZE; PRODUIT ALIMENTAIRE; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; PROTEINS; Reference Standards; REGIME ALIMENTAIRE; RESPONSES; SAMPLING; TECHNIQUE ANALYTIQUE; TECNICAS ANALITICAS; Time Factors; glycemic index; Diabetes; diet; carbohydrate; Endocrinopathy; Human; Diet therapy; Diet; Postprandial; Classification; Insulin dependent diabetes; Carbohydrate; Non insulin dependent diabetes; Glycemia; Food
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/54.5.846

There is controversy regarding the clinical utility of classifying foods according to their glycemic responses by using the glycemic index (GI). Part of the controversy is due to methodologic variables that can markedly affect the interpretation of glycemic responses and the GI values obtained. Recent studies support the clinical utility of the GI. Within limits determined by the expected GI difference and by the day-to-day variation of glycemic responses, the GI predicts the ranking of the glycemic potential of different meals in individual subjects. In long-term trials, low-GI diets result in modest improvements in overall blood glucose control in patients with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Of perhaps greater therapeutic importance is the ability of low-GI diets to reduce insulin secretion and lower blood lipid concentrations in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.