NUTRACORE, Glycaemic Index and Appetite

Plain-language summary

In recent decades, the world prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (DMT2) has increased dramatically, resulting in a global epidemic. One of the aspects more connected to the etiology of these pathologies is undoubtedly the concept of the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (CG). It has been shown that, with the same CG, that is of carbohydrates contained in a food, a food with a higher GI tends to raise blood sugar more quickly (and consequently insulin), causing several negative effects on the body. We now have sufficient evidence to show that high GI diets are associated with increased incidence of DMT2, hyperlipoproteinemia, and cardiovascular disease. Although simple carbohydrates, namely sugars, have always been considered the major inducers of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, in reality also starches, or complex carbohydrates digestible by humans, may lead to an increase in blood sugar levels which is not as rapid but often equally harmful to health, since the GC is generally higher. The reason why a high GI diet is responsible for this increased risk of developing pathologies is not unambiguous. We can identify at least 4 probable mechanisms. 1. Sudden hyperglycemia tends to cause insulin to rise beyond what is necessary, leading subsequently to the risk of hypoglycemia and thus an excessive feeling of hunger. Increased energy intake and obesity. 2. Excess insulin secretion, aggravated by insulin resistance, represents an effort for the pancreas with the risk, over time, to arrive at a deficit of insulin-dependent diabetes type 2 insulin production 3. Hyperinsulinemia is also associated with reduced lipolysis and increased lipogenesis obesity and hyperlipoproteinemia 4. Fat accumulation, especially in the abdominal region, is associated with chronic inflammation and insulin resistance by type 2 diabetes tissues and metabolic syndrome In addition to these reasons, a high GI diet, typically called Western Diet, is also generally deficient in plant foods, rich in antioxidants and photo compounds with anti-inflammatory action, without which the process of chronic organic inflammation is accelerated, even in the absence of real obesity.

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