【Medical Q&A】What is the glycemic index? How does it affect your blood sugar levels?

【Medical Q&A】What is the glycemic index? How does it affect your blood sugar levels?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Jin Bo, Chief Physician, Fifth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

The glycemic index (GI) is an effective indicator for measuring the blood sugar response of carbohydrates, indicating the ratio of the blood sugar-raising effect of a certain food to the blood sugar-raising effect of a standard food (usually glucose). In layman's terms, it refers to the extent of the blood sugar response caused by a certain food in the human body.

GI values ​​are divided into three levels: ① Low GI foods (GI < 55). They stay in the gastrointestinal tract for a long time, have a low absorption rate, release glucose slowly, and have a low peak value and a slow decline rate after glucose enters the blood. For example, celery, cucumber, brown rice and lentils are low GI foods. ② Medium GI foods (55 < GI < 70). The digestion speed and blood sugar rise rate of these foods are moderate. Whole wheat bread and oranges belong to this category. ③ High GI foods (GI > 70). These foods can be digested and absorbed quickly, causing blood sugar levels to rise rapidly and then fall rapidly. Common ones include white bread and sugar.

Knowing the GI value of food is particularly important for people with diabetes and those who want to control their weight. A reasonable combination of low, medium and high GI foods in the diet can help maintain blood sugar stability, reduce hunger, and is of great benefit to health management.

<<:  [Medical Q&A] Are there risks in participating in a clinical trial? Is it like being a "guinea pig"?

>>:  [Medical Q&A] How does smegma form in little boys and what health problems may it cause?

Recommend

Will the fallopian tubes still be blocked after giving birth?

Blockage of fallopian tubes can cause female infe...

What are the symptoms of severe postpartum illness?

The so-called postpartum diseases refer to the di...

When is a woman's ovulation period?

A woman's normal ovulation can lead to succes...

What causes lower abdominal acid in women?

Gynecological diseases have become a very trouble...

Cervical smear test and treatment

The cervical problem is undoubtedly a major focus...

Causes of spotting during early pregnancy

When pregnant women experience spotting in the ea...

What happened to Zara in Wuhan? Zara in Wuhan is closed. What happened in 2019?

What happened to Zara in Wuhan? Recently, many ne...

What causes bloody stools and abdominal pain?

I believe that many friends now do not know the c...

Breast cancer causes

Breast cancer has evolved into a relatively commo...

The harm of gynecological vaginitis

In daily life, many female friends have to work h...

38 weeks pregnant back pain

Women who are 38 weeks pregnant should be conside...

What is the reason for granulation in episiotomy wound?

When a pregnant woman reaches the delivery period...

How many varieties of guava are there? Why is guava a bit astringent?

Guava is sweet and juicy, with smooth flesh and a...