Variations in the Glycemic Response to Carbohydrates: Do High Responders Have a Special Benefit of Using Low Glycemic Foods?

The postprandial blood glucose elevation (PPG) seems to be an important risk factor for diabetes Type 2 and coronary heart disease. We have tested whether high responders have a greater PPG reduction than low responders when changing from high to low glycemic foods, as might be anticipated. In 25 healthy, young men the glycemic effects of six different, low glycemic foods (each ingested in portions providing 50 g carbohydrates) were determined and compared with the glycemic response after intake of 50 g glucose. The reduction in glycemia (delta incremental area under the curve) was proportional to the glycemic response after ingesting glucose (r > 0.8; p<0,001). Thus, high responders to ingested glucose might have a special benefit of using low glycemic foods.