When we eat, in the digestive process, sugar is produced. Sugar finds its way from the digestive system into the blood, where insulin released from the pancreas helps break it down to release energy. This energy then becomes available to the body for its survival and other functions.
Foods are often measured on a glycemic index. The higher a food on the index, the higher the potential of raising the blood sugar level.
Weight-loss diets and people with diabetes are typically recommended to limit foods high on the glycemic index. Consumptions of foods that are high on the glycemic index will cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
In people with diabetes, the conversion process for sugar into energy is inefficient. The sugar in such cases will stay in the bloodstream for longer periods. As the blood circulates in the body, the excess sugar in the blood stays for long periods in the circulatory system. Excess blood sugar has been known to harm the body, increasing the prospect of developing coronary artery disease, kidney failure, and attendant complications.
Some examples of high glycemic index food are potatoes, white bread, snack foods, and desserts containing refined flour. Many healthy foods — such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products — are lower on the glycemic index. But we have fruits like watermelon, which are high on the glycemic index. Therefore, it is prudent for people with diabetes to make a list of their preferred food and match these against the glycemic index chart. They can eliminate those foods that are high on the index.
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