TYPES OF CARBOHYDRATES AND THEIR ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE GLYCEMIC CONTROL

Abstract

Diet has an extremely important role in the postprandial glycemic response, which is determined both by the quantity as well as the quality of the ingested carbohydrates (HC). The effect of food ingestion on glycemia is assessed using the glycemic index (GI) and the glycemic load (GL). GI determines the quality of HC, while GL determines both the quality and quantity of HC. GI is influenced both by factors that are related to food as well as by factors related to consumers. The diet with low GI and low GL reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and DZ type 2, improving the glycemic control, the sensibility to insulin, the lipid profile and the weight control. It is also a protective factor against colon and breast cancer.