Glycemic Index for Better Blood Sugar Management of Diabetics and Athletes

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Glycemic Index
The glycemic index refers to a system which assigns numbers to different types of foods based on their ability to raise an individual’s blood sugar level. Being a health tool, the index can ensure better management of blood sugar (Brand-Miller and Buyken). By having this knowledge, an individual can have the appropriate awareness, thus enhancing the ability to maintain blood sugar at a lower level.
Glycemic index (GI) values are assigned to particular types of food based on their ability to raise the blood sugar level compared to how pure glucose may increase the same in an individual’s body. As a result, the values are divided into three: low GI ranging from 1 – 55, medium GI ranging from 56-69 and high GI with values over 70. Carbohydrates play a critical role in the body by determining how much glucose can enter the bloodstream (Brand-Miller and Buyken). Ingesting carbohydrates leads the body to break them down into sugars and starch that form part of the energy used for daily purposes in human beings. Consequently, the hormones that regulate the amount of glucose in the body are insulin and glucagon with the former moving glucose into blood cells while the latter releases glucose into the bloodstream.
Individuals with diabetes can use the GI to prepare meal plans by selecting appropriate healthy foods. This is done through the classification of foods that contain carbohydrates according to their ability to raise the blood sugar levels (Rahelić, Jenkins and Bozikov). Therefore, patients suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes can improve their blood sugar control while also reducing any instances of hypoglycemic episodes.
Apart from that, athletes can also use the GI to determine the type of c...