Okuzeka
Nutrition & Dietetics vocabulary · Digestion and Metabolism

Glycemic index

Meaning in nutrition & dietetics, with examples

/ɡlaɪˈsiːmɪk ˈɪndeks/nounCommon term

In nutrition & dietetics, glycemic index means: A scale from 0 to 100 that ranks carbohydrate foods by how quickly they raise blood sugar compared with pure glucose, which has a value of 100.

In Turkish: glisemik indeks, Gİ

How it is used

Abbreviated GI. Foods are called low GI (55 or less), medium GI or high GI (70 or more). Because GI ignores portion size, experts also use glycemic load (GL). It is used in diabetes care, sports nutrition and on some product labels.

Example sentences

  1. White rice has a higher glycemic index than bulgur.

  2. Adding fat, protein or fiber to a meal usually lowers its overall glycemic index.

Common collocations

  • low glycemic index
  • high glycemic index
  • glycemic load
  • low-GI foods
  • blood sugarThe amount of glucose in the blood at a given time. The body keeps it within a narrow range using hormones such as insulin and glucagon.
  • carbohydrateA macronutrient found in foods such as bread, rice, fruit, legumes and milk. The body breaks it down mainly into glucose, its main source of energy; it gives about 4 kcal per gram.
  • type 2 diabetesA long-term condition in which the body does not respond well to insulin or does not make enough of it, so blood sugar stays higher than normal. It is the most common type of diabetes.
  • insulinA hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the blood into cells, which lowers blood sugar. It also helps the body store energy as glycogen and fat.

More terms: Digestion and Metabolism

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.