Purpose Of The Glycemic Index

Carbohydrates react in different ways on the glucose levels in our blood. In spite of what many people think, not all carbohydrates affect the blood sugar level in the same way, and to avoid the potential for high blood sugar that can take a toll on our health, it’s important to know which carbohydrates produce the lowest amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

Knowing the glycemic index of the foods you eat allows you to choose foods that have a lower glycemic index, meaning making choices between those carbohydrates that produce less sugar in the bloodstream. The purpose is multi-level because it allows you to maintain good help, keep your weight understand control, and prevent diabetes and heart disease. It’s important for one to know the foods that are have a lower glycemic index in order to know which ones are healthier.

Quite possibly all of us were taught that complex carbohydrates were the slow-burning sugars, thus created the slow burning energy that kept us going through the day in comparison to sweets such as cakes and candies that gives us a quick lift but a quick burn out as well. In other words, we were taught that a slice of bread, pasta, or a potato were better for us than a candy bar, and although that still holds true to a degree, it is not totally factual. Starches are no longer considered complex carbohydrates as we were taught, but are still in the category of simple carbohydrates that turn into sugar as they are digested. On the other hand, whole grains such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole wheat flour, whole grain cereals, and non-white breads do not have the same effect and thus have a lower glycemic index than their white counterparts.

The importance of the glycemic index cannot be stressed enough, especially with all we know today about diabetes and heart disease. In the past, we consumed various food products and never knew the harmful effects, but to continue to do so with modern knowledge is courting disaster. Now that we have the knowledge, it’s important to take the time to research the foods we eat, especially carbohydrates, and choose those with the lowest glycemic indexes. Being more careful what we eat will make our lives longer, healthier, and more meaningful.