From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Understanding and managing Glycemic Index (GI) in diets is crucial for promoting long-term health and mitigating the risk of chronic diseases.
What is Glycemic Index (GI)?
- Prof. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto introduced Glycemic Index (GI) in 1981.
- GI measures how quickly a food raises blood glucose levels compared to a reference food, typically glucose or white bread, which is assigned a value of 100.
GI Classification and Glycemic Load (GL):
- Multiplying GI by the amount of carbohydrate consumed gives the Glycemic Load (GL).
- Accordingly, foods are classified as:
- Low GI (below 55): Brown rice, steel-cut oats, legumes (such as lentils and chickpeas), most fruits (like apples, berries, and oranges), vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
- Medium GI (56-69): Whole wheat products, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, some types of rice (like basmati rice), and certain fruits like pineapple and mango.
- High GI (70 or above): Refined carbohydrates and sugary foods such as white rice, white bread, refined flour products, potatoes, sweetened drinks (like soda), candies, cookies, and sugary snacks.
Debate and Perspectives:
- The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, spanning 20 countries including India, revealed the link between high GI diets and cardiovascular events and mortality.
- Evidence supports the association between high GI diets and increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
Relevance to India
- In South Asia, where diets are rich in high GI foods like white rice, efforts to reduce GI and GL are crucial.
- Lowering GI and GL can help prevent not only diabetes but also premature cardiovascular disease, which is prevalent in India.
PYQ:[2011] Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity? (a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency (b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy (c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism (d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process |
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