Dietary glycemic index and load and risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults

Abstract

The goals of this study were to examine whether the dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults, and to assess the healthfulness of the overall diet according to dietary GI and GL. The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study is a prospective cohort study of adults age 70 to 79 at baseline. Risk of type 2 diabetes was determined over a 4-year period according to quintile of dietary GI and GL, and dietary nutrients, food groups and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score were compared across quintiles (n = 1898). Persons in the higher quintiles of dietary GI or GL did not show a significantly higher incidence of type 2 diabetes. When dietary GI and GL were examined as continuous variables, energy-adjusted dietary GL in women only was positively related to risk (P = 0.02). Dietary GI was positively associated with dietary carbohydrate, and negatively associated with protein, fruit and vegetable intake. Dietary GL was positively associated with dietary carbohydrate, fruit, fiber and Healthy Eating Index score, and negatively associated with protein, saturated fat, total fat and alcohol intake. This study does not support a consistent relationship between dietary GI or GL and risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults. Because dietary GI and GL have strong nutritional correlates, the overall dietary pattern should be considered. Supported by NIA/NIH.