Glycemic Index Facts explores how food choices impact blood sugar and metabolic health, focusing on the Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL). It explains how the GI ranks carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood sugar, while the GL considers both the GI and the carbohydrate amount in a typical serving. Understanding these metrics helps in making informed dietary decisions.
For example, the book highlights how different preparation methods can alter the GI and GL values of the same food, offering practical insights. The book progresses from foundational principles of carbohydrate metabolism to analyzing specific food categories like fruits, vegetables, and grains, using charts and tables for clarity.
It emphasizes the practical application of GI and GL in daily meal planning, enabling readers to manage blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and potentially reduce risks associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. It also touches on the historical context, explaining how the GI revolutionized nutritional science beyond simple carbohydrate counting.