ABSTRACT

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 757 De­nition of Terms ........................................................................................................................ 758

Glycemic Index ......................................................................................................................... 759 Glycemic Load .......................................................................................................................... 760 Glycemic Load and the American Diet ..................................................................................... 760

Physiological Effects of a Low-Glycemic-Load Diet .................................................................... 761 Early Postprandial Period .......................................................................................................... 761 Middle Postprandial Period ....................................................................................................... 761 Late Postprandial Period ........................................................................................................... 762

Effect of Glycemic Load on Hunger .............................................................................................. 762 Glycemic Load and Weight Loss ................................................................................................... 763

Favorable Studies ...................................................................................................................... 763 Unfavorable Studies .................................................................................................................. 765

Glycemic Load and Disease ........................................................................................................... 767 Meta-Analyses........................................................................................................................... 767 Cardiovascular Disease ............................................................................................................. 767

Epidemiological Data ........................................................................................................... 767 Short-Term Studies ............................................................................................................... 768

Type 2 Diabetes ......................................................................................................................... 769 Epidemiological Data ........................................................................................................... 769 Short-Term Study ................................................................................................................. 770

Other Conditions ....................................................................................................................... 771 How to Eat a Low-Glycemic-Load Diet ........................................................................................ 771 References ...................................................................................................................................... 773

treated (Brown et al., 2005). However, few strategies for losing weight have been effective, and new ones are welcome (Pawlak et al., 2002; Bell and Sears, 2003a). In contrast, strategies to get individuals to quit smoking have been more successful, showing that behaviors can be changed to improve health.