Low GI Diet Benefits People with Type 1 Diabetes

Research shows that a low GI diet can reduce fluctuations in blood glucose levels in those with type 1 diabetes.Researchers from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, USA conducted a study on 20 young people with type 1 diabetes who were on multiple daily injections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high glycemic index (HGI) and low glycemic index (LGI) meals on blood glucose levels using continuous blood glucose monitoring method. The participants wore a continuous blood glucose meter during the study, to measure changes in blood glucose levels.For two days, the participants consumed meals which were the same in nutritional composition but varied in their GI, (being either high (HGI) or low (LGI). Participants demonstrated significantly lower daytime blood glucose level, and had less time with high blood glucose levels, greater than 10mmol/L. There was no difference in overnight blood glucose levels between the high and low GI days. The author concludes that consumption of a Low GI diet may reduce the rise in glucose level after a meal and improve glycemic control.

Article Source: Nansel et al. Diabetes Care 31:695-697, 2008