Glycemic index of traditional Indian carbohydrate foods

The glycemic index (GI) was determined in 36 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients who were fed 50 g carbohydrate portions of six Indian conventional foods, including rice, a combination of rice-legume (Bengalgram, peas, and greengram), and a combination of rice-dal (greengram dal and redgram dal -- dal is dehusked and split legume). In addition to the GI, triglyceride (TG) responses of these foods were also determined. A higher GI was obtained for rice and for rice with peas; all other combinations yielded lower glycemic indices. However, all the foods produced significantly lower blood glucose response 2 hours postprandially as compared with blood glucose responses to a 50 g glucose load for the same group. No significant difference was observed for TG responses to the different foods.