How Glycemic Index Values are Measured

Spikes, rushes, controlled release… These are all terms that are associated with the release of sugars into the bloodstream following the digestion of different kinds of foods. For some people a discussion of these effects may be mildly interesting but for those who are faced with ADD/ADHD it is of vital importance. This is why studying Glycemic Index and the way that it can influence moods, behavior and general wellbeing should be a top priority for those who are investigating ways of overcoming ADD/ADHD.

Last week we had an introductory look at how knowing the GI values of different foods can help us to lose weight, and can also improve our general and emotional health. This week we will focus on how GI values are determined and measured. This information will clearly show that a) The Glycemic Index is not just some kind of faddish concept like so many ‘miracle diets’ out there but that it is built on solid scientific facts and testing, and b) That it is possible to control, to a great degree, the release of sugars into the blood stream by paying careful attention to what you eat.

Interestingly enough GI values cannot be determined by simply looking at the composition of certain foodstuffs. The main reason for this that the human digestive system is very complex and often respond in different ways to seemingly similar foods. This means that GI values can only be accurately determined in trials using live human guinea pigs! The most common way in which this is done is the following:

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The implications of all of this for the management of ADD/ADHD are obvious. The mood swings, inability to concentrate and the impulsive behavior that are often associated with ADD/ADHD can in many cases be traced back directly to what it going on in the ‘fuel tank’! Scientist have struggled for a long time to prove and describe this link but the development of the Glycemic Index as a scientific way to measure the body’s response to carbohydrates means that it has now been proven that such a link undoubtedly exists. This means that paying very close attention to what you eat should be at the core of any ADD/ADHD management strategy.

It is all well and good to know something of the general theory behind the Glycemic Index. To make it practical however, you will need to have a solid grasp of how different foodstuffs score on this index. Please drop by again next week when we will discuss this question as well as some of the implications of what we have learned thus far for an ‘Anti ADD/ADHD’ diet!