Abstract
BackgroundDue to the lack of evidence, advice pertaining to glycemic load (GL) can be misleading. Does the excessive restriction of GL, mostly through an extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake, result in a relatively high intake of fat and protein and result in overweight and obesity? This study was performed to initially explore the optimal GL range.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 2029 participants aged 40 years or older in Guangzhou, China was conducted. Participants were divided into four groups according to cluster analysis. Dietary data were assessed using a previously validated 3-day food record.ResultsInstead of participants with the highest [cluster 1, median (interquartile ranges) GL was 112(107–119)/1000 kcal] and the lowest GL intake [cluster 4, 90(82–96)/1000 kcal], those with moderate GL intakes [clusters 2 and 3, 93(85–102) and 93(85–99)/1000 kcal, respectively] had a lower prevalence of overweight, obesity and diabetes. In addition, clusters 2 and 3 were more consistent with the macronutrient intake reference with adequate micronutrient intake. Therefore, the optimal GL range was determined to be (85–100)/1000 kcal, rather than “lower is better”.ConclusionsReducing the GL intake to prevent diabetes deserves more attention in the context of a balanced diet. An appropriate GL may be better than excessive restriction.
Highlights
The steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes over the past three decades in virtually all regions worldwide has received considerable interest; the number of people with diabetes in 2017 was 425 million, and this figure is predicted to increase to 629 million by 2045 [1]
It has been shown that the quality rather than the quantity of carbohydrates is associated with increased diabetes risk [8]
Five principal components were extracted through a dominant component analysis of 16 variables, explaining 73.8% of the variance in the model (Fig. 1)
Summary
The steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes over the past three decades in virtually all regions worldwide has received considerable interest; the number of people with diabetes in 2017 was 425 million, and this figure is predicted to increase to 629 million by 2045 [1]. The most important modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes are overweight and obesity, an improper diet, a sedentary lifestyle and tobacco smoking [7]. It has been shown that the quality rather than the quantity of carbohydrates is associated with increased diabetes risk [8]. Compared to the traditional view of carbohydrate restriction alone, the glycemic index (GI) was created as a tool to guide people with diabetes in selecting foods [9]. The glycemic load (GL), which considers the GI and the amount of available carbohydrates. Does the excessive restriction of GL, mostly through an extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake, result in a relatively high intake of fat and protein and result in overweight and obesity? Does the excessive restriction of GL, mostly through an extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake, result in a relatively high intake of fat and protein and result in overweight and obesity? This study was performed to initially explore the optimal GL range
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