The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly a food causes blood sugar levels to rise. The higher the glycemic index of a food, the more quickly it causes blood sugar levels to rise.

Foods with a high glycemic index are associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The glycemic index was developed as a way to help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

However, the glycemic index is also useful for healthy people who want to eat healthy foods. By choosing foods with a low glycemic index, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid the health risks associated with high blood sugar levels.

In this article, we will explain what the glycemic index is and how to use it to make healthy food choices.

What is the glycemic index?

The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food causes blood sugar levels to rise. The higher the glycemic index of a food, the more quickly it causes blood sugar levels to rise. Foods with a high glycemic index are associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The glycemic index was developed as a way to help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, but it is also useful for healthy people who want to eat healthy foods. By choosing foods with a low glycemic index, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid the health risks associated with high blood sugar levels.

How is the glycemic index determined?

The glycemic index of a food is determined by how quickly it raises blood sugar levels. To measure the glycemic index of a food, researchers give people food to eat and then measure their blood sugar levels over time. The glycemic index is expressed as a number on a scale from 0 to 100.

Foods with a glycemic index of less than 55 are considered to have a low glycemic index. Foods with a glycemic index of 56 to 69 are considered to have a moderate glycemic index. Foods with a glycemic index of 70 or more are considered to have a high glycemic index.

What are the health risks associated with high glycemic index foods?

High blood sugar levels can damage the body in many ways. Eating foods with a high glycemic index can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to:

• Type 2 diabetes: When blood sugar levels are high, the pancreas secretes insulin to help remove the sugar from the blood. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, where the body becomes less responsive to insulin, and blood sugar levels remain high. This can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Heart disease: High blood sugar levels can damage the arteries and lead to heart disease.
  
  
• Weight gain: Foods with a high glycemic index tend to be high in simple carbohydrates, which are quickly converted into sugar in the body. This can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and may lead to weight gain.

How can I choose foods with a low glycemic index?

There are many factors that affect the glycemic index of a food, including the type of carbohydrate, the amount of fiber, and how the food is prepared. Here are some tips for choosing foods with a low glycemic index:

• Choose whole grains over refined grains: Whole grains contain more fiber, which slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Refined grains have had the fiber removed and are digested more quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar levels.
  
  
• Choose high-fiber fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables with a high fiber content have a lower glycemic index. This includes items such as apples, berries, broccoli, and carrots.
  
  
• Avoid processed foods: Processed foods are often high in simple carbohydrates and low in fiber. These foods can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
  
  
• Limit sugary drinks: Sugary drinks such as soda and juice have a high glycemic index and can cause rapid rises in blood sugar levels. Choose water or unsweetened tea instead. Making healthy food choices is an important part of preventing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Is there a way to regularly achieve the right Glycemic Index and sugar level balance naturally?

Again, choosing the foods with low glycemic index is a great start. However, as we grow older and start to experience life’s stress and strains, our body changes and needs additional targeted cellular nutrition that would help manage the risk factors from off target blood sugar levels.

Such help is now readily available from scientifically formulated and clinical proven nutraceutical --- OptiCel.

OptiCel Glucose Balance is made from select natural and low glycemic index vegetable, fruits and spices and is available in a tablet form with our prescription.

In Conclusion The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic index can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and weight gain.

There are many factors that affect the glycemic index of a food, including the type of carbohydrate, the amount of fiber, and how the food is prepared.

By choosing foods with a low glycemic index and natural clinically proven effective nutraceutical supplements, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid the health risks associated with high blood sugar levels.