Metabolic effects of low glycaemic index diets

Abstract

The persistence of an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes suggests that new nutritional strategies are needed if the epidemic is to be overcome. A promising nutritional approach suggested by this thematic review is metabolic effect of low glycaemic-index diet. The currently available scientific literature shows that low glycaemic-index diets acutely induce a number of favorable effects, such as a rapid weight loss, decrease of fasting glucose and insulin levels, reduction of circulating triglyceride levels and improvement of blood pressure. The long-term effect of the combination of these changes is at present not known. Based on associations between these metabolic parameters and risk of cardiovascular disease, further controlled studies on low-GI diet and metabolic disease are needed.

Figure 1

Low GI diets and metabolic syndrome. Description: Low GI diets decrease insulin resistance and insulin levels, causing plasma glucose reduction, decrease free fatty acids levels, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, causing an important reduction of cardiovascular risk factors.

Figure 2

Regulation of insulin secretion by glucose and lipids. Description: Insulin secretion is influenced by plasma glucose and lipids that activate on one hand glycolysis and production of pyruvate, and on the other hand β-oxidation and ATP synthesis.