Glycemic index and Glycemic load?

[*OG Wenger*]

Can somebody please explain to me what these are in the simplest way possible?

From what i have gathered so far Glycemic index is something to do with fast breakdown of carbs during digestion. Is this basically something to do with the measurement of simple carbohydrate?

To be honest i'm not quite sure what Glycemic load is, does it have something to do with complex carbs?

[as646]

The glycemic index is essentially a measure of how much a rise in blood sugar levels the breakdown of a carbohydrate causes. A high GI denotes fast breakdown, and a sharp ****e in glucose levels in your circulating bloodstream, a low GI means the carbohydrates break down more slowly and a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

The glycemic load takes the amount of carbs into account; it is simply the GI times the serving size. It addresses one of the problems of the GI; it doesn't take the actual quantity of carbohydrates into account.

[*OG Wenger*]

The glycemic index is essentially a measure of how much a rise in blood sugar levels the breakdown of a carbohydrate causes. A high GI denotes fast breakdown, and a sharp ****e in glucose levels in your circulating bloodstream, a low GI means the carbohydrates break down more slowly and a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

The glycemic load takes the amount of carbs into account; it is simply the GI times the serving size. It addresses one of the problems of the GI; it doesn't take the actual quantity of carbohydrates into account.

Thank you. One last question is something with a high GI what causes an insulin sp1ke?

[as646]

A high GI will generally result in an insulin ****e, yes. Or rather, a high GL, to be more accurate.

[*OG Wenger*]

Thank you. You have been very helpful.

[TheSmash]

Previous poster gave you good info. If you're interested in learning more, here is a site you can check out that lists GI/GL for various foods:

http://www.fitsugar.com/Glycemic-Ind...c-Load-3131117

If you look at the glycemic index of a banana vs. a cup of pasta, you'll see they are similar. The glycemic load is very different though. The pasta would likely sp!ke your blood sugar and trigger an insulin response while the banana would not.

[Chip2006uk]

as646 pretty much covered it.

Just bear in mind, that you can eat a tiny amount of high Glycemic carbohydrate (therefore a low glycemic load) and it wont ****e your glucose/insulin levels because its such a small amount.

Whereas you could eat a shedload of very low glycemic carbohydrate (therefore high gylcemic load) but because you are eating so much of it, it will ****e your insulin and glucose levels.

Glycemic index is a fairly good way of monitoring your carb intake, but ultimately its the glycemic load that matters most.

[Jimmy22]

If you look at the list of a bananas vs. a cup of rice, you'll see they are identical. The glycemic fill is very different though. The rice would likely sp!ke your blood vessels glucose levels and induce an blood vessels insulin reaction while the bananas would not.