What is Glycaemic Index?
When we consume carbohydrates, they get broken down and turned into their constituent parts – sugars – during the process of digestion. These sugars then enter the bloodstream. Glycaemic Index, or GI, is a measure of how quickly the carbohydrates in our diet affect our blood sugar levels. The lower the GI, the less dramatic the effect on blood sugar levels.
Pure sugar has the highest GI, with a score of 100. If we eat pure sugar, our blood sugar levels spike almost instantly. The body then needs to work quickly, by releasing the hormone insulin to lower the high blood sugar levels.
Foods such as green beans, cauliflower, lentils and chickpeas have a much lower GI of between around 20 to 30.
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