Glycemic index and the Asian diet

In order to evaluate the GI of foods, several laboratories are established in Canada, Australia, UK and Germany. Recently, GI testing laboratories have been established in many Asian countries.

A study in Thailand has shown that consumption of mung bean noodles with low GI can improve diabetic control in type 2 diabetes. Many traditional starchy foods (rice) may have higher GI values than expected but low GI staples such as rice noodles may be preferable for diabetics as shown from a study on Vietnamese foods in Australia.

Glutinous rice has a GI of 94. Photo: The Star/ANN

Irrespective of the favourable features of Chinese diets such as low fat content, plenty of vegetables and rice-based than potato-based, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among the Chinese population. Excessive caloric intake from fat food, insufficient exercise, increased reliance on automobiles and popularisation of television are some of the factors that have contributed to this upward trend in diabetes and obesity.

Knowledge about GI value of Asian foods may assist in the development of better dietary advice for individuals with diabetes and obesity and will aid further research into the application of GI.

Readers who wish to know more about the GI values of foods are advised to refer http://www.glycemicindex.com/. For more information on GI testing of foods and new product development, please visit http://www.brookes.ac.uk/lifesci/research/functionalfood

This article is courtesy of the Asian Food Information Councils's publication, Food Facts Asia, Issue 37.

-The Star/Asia News Network