Perspective on the health value of carbohydrate-rich foods: glycemic index and load; fiber and whole grains
David J.A. Jenkins, Walter C. Willett
Abstract
BACKGROUND: For over 45 y increasingly comprehensive food tables of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) have been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to determine the GI and GL values of diets. Recently the WHO based on a 2019 series of meta-analyses concluded that increases in dietary fiber and whole grains but not reduction in GI or GL warranted recommendations for chronic disease reduction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We therefore provide a perspective on the current evidence that indicates that GI and GL are also determinants of risk of chronic disease outcomes. We are also concerned with the term dietary fiber used in the singular when there are many dietary fibers that may differ in their physiological effects. Furthermore, the term "whole grains" that refers to "whole grain flour" limits the exploration of "intact" grains that are low GI and have useful physiological effects. CONCLUSION: We conclude that all these determinants of the health values of carbohydrate-rich foods should be used in combination to assess the health value of carbohydrate-rich foods.