US researchers developed a national database of foods’ glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) to enhance dietary awareness and facilitate large-scale health studies. This database, using AI-enabled models, analyzed foods from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), linking food descriptions with GI and GL values. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that high-GI and GL diets are linked to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Over 20 years, data from 49,205 NHANES participants showed a decrease in dietary GI and GL by 4.6% and 13.8%, respectively, though 42% of energy intake still came from low-quality carbohydrates. Demographic analysis indicated higher dietary GL among women, less educated individuals, and those below the poverty line, with Black adults exhibiting higher GI/GL rates than White adults. The study advocates for integrating GI into public health guidelines, emphasizing low-GI foods like whole grains, beans, and non-starchy vegetables to prevent blood sugar spikes and improve dietary quality. Utilizing AI in this research marks a significant advancement, enabling more in-depth investigations into the impact of GI and GL on chronic disease risk.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916524005227
