Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2014, 158(1):112-116 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2012.103

Comparison of a low-glycemic index vs standard diabetic diet

Jakub Visek^a, Silvie Lacigova^b, Daniela Cechurova^b, Zdenek Rusavy^b

^a Department of Gerontology and Metabolism, University Hospital and Medical Faculty in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

^b Diabetologic Centre, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital and Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Alej Svobody 80, 304 60, Pilsen

Aim: There is insufficient evidence for the efficacy of a low-glycemic index (GI) diet in the management of diabetes. The goal of this study was to measure the effect of a low GI versus a standard diabetic diet in adults with diabetes type 2.

Methods: This was an open label, randomized, crossover study. Twenty persons with type 2 diabetes were randomized to two groups. Each group followed a standard diabetic diet or a low glycemic index diet for 3 months. The effectiveness of the two diets was evaluated using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp with endogenous glucose production measurement, indirect calorimetry and bioimpedance analysis. Outcome measures were body mass, BMI, body fat, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose production.

Results: Body mass after 3 months following the diabetic diet was 93 kg (83-104) vs. low glycemic index diet 92 kg (85-104) P<0.05, BMI 31.3 kg/m² (27.5-35.9) vs. 30.7 kg/m² (27-35.3) P<0.05, body fat 28% (25.5-43) vs. 27% (23-43) P<0.05 (median and interquartile range). There was no statistically significant difference between diets for glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity or hepatic glucose production.

Conclusions: The results are comparable with other studies showing a modest effect of a low GI diet in the management of diabetes. We found a modestly greater weight loss, body fat and BMI reduction on the low GI diet.

Keywords: diabetes type 2, low glycemic index diet, standard diabetic diet, hepatic glucose production

Received: December 10, 2011; Accepted: November 13, 2012; Prepublished online: December 7, 2012; Published: April 1, 2014  Show citation