Glycemic index and glycemic load – a concept relevant for the diet of healthy individuals?

Part 2: Implementation of the concept of a low GI and GL, resp., in dietary guidelines for the general population Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung, Bonn Even though sufficient evidence for a role of the glycemic index or glycemic load (GL) in the development of chronic diseases in currently healthy individuals is lacking (see part 1), the concept has been integrated in some dietary guidelines for the general population.  It is usually recommended that the GI be used to compare foods of similar composition within a food group and to select those foods with a low GI. Part of these recommendations is that refined grain products, potatoes and sweets should be used sparingly, whereas the consumption of fruits and vegetables should be increased. For the practical dietary setting, cut-offs for high, medium and low GI and GL have been suggested on a rather arbitrary basis. It is, however, questionable whether the concept of selecting foods with low GI and GL is ready for practice yet and applicable by consumers without a detailed knowledge in nutrition.  Advice to lower the GI of the diet would have a significant impact on recommended food sources. At present, more research is clearly needed before recommendations on this issue can be made for the general healthy population. Until more evidence has accumulated, there are no grounds to advise against the use of currently recommended carbohydrate sources with a high GI such as potatoes or certain cereal grains. EU05/04 Keywords: Glycemic index / glycemic load / dietary guidelines / implementation Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs-Umschau 04/04 ab Seite 128.