Low Glycemic Load for Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes experts have been arguing about diet for decades. For a long time fat was considered a culprit. More recently, though, carbohydrates have come under scrutiny. High glycemic index foods cause a quick rise in blood sugar and insulin. These are things like sugar, white bread and potatoes. Chips, candy, pretzels, pizza, soft drinks and French fries would be examples of high-glycemic index snacks. Low glycemic index foods such as lentils or fish do not cause the rapid rise in blood sugar. Despite this, the American Diabetes Association holds the official position that there is not sufficient evidence that diets low in glycemic load help prevent diabetes.
New research from the Netherlands suggests, however, that such evidence is now available. A large study of more than 37,000 people followed for an average of 10 years found that high glycemic-load diets were associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors conclude that “both carbohydrate quantity and quality seem to be important factors in diabetes prevention.”

[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Oct, 2010]