Glycemic Index Predicts Weight Loss

“Glycemic index” is a measure of how quickly a food is broken down and produces sugar in the bloodstream.  Low glycemic index foods include complex carbohydrates like whole grains that break down slowly as compared to sugars which break down fast and shoot a spike of glucose in the blood.

A recent study from the Archives of Internal Medecine showed that diets with a low glycemic index promoted weight loss better than diets otherwise comparable but with a higher “dietary glycemic load” (see the report from Reuters Health).  A diet high in complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic load (i.e., few foods that create a blood sugar spike) yielded weight loss plus lower total and LDL (”bad”) cholesterol.

This diet is consistent with the recommendations of the Hilton Head Health Institute’s meal planners and educators (click here for the H3I website).

Roger Sargent

Add comment July 26th, 2006