Context

The findings of an international study suggest that consuming low glycaemic index and low glycaemic load diets might prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. They also found a strong association between glycaemic index (GI) and the risk of type 2 diabetes among individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI).

What is the glycaemic index (GI)?

• GI ranks carbohydrate-containing foods based on the blood glucose response, post-prandial or after a meal. The higher the blood sugar reading, the higher will be the GI. 
• Glycaemic load (GL), on the other hand, is both the quality and quantity of carbohydrate in a specific food, and is the product of the GI and the amount of carbohydrate available in a serving.
  • High GI foods: sugar and sugary foods, sugary soft drinks, white bread, potatoes, white rice
  • Low and medium GI foods: some fruit and vegetables, pulses, wholegrain foods, such as porridge oats