Hormonal
Low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates increase postprandial GLP-1 secretion and decrease GIP secretion compared to high GI carbohydrates, which mediates cardiometabolic health benefits.
Choose carbohydrates that digest slowly (low GI), such as whole grains, legumes, or specific sugars like isomaltulose, over refined sources like white bread or sucrose. This slows nutrient absorption, allowing glucose to reach the lower intestine where it triggers GLP-1 release. GLP-1 improves cardiovascular health, reduces appetite, and protects the heart, whereas rapid digestion triggers GIP, which is linked to fat storage and inflammation.
low-GI carbohydrates are characterized by low postprandial endogenous GIP levels and increased GLP-1 concentrations. This most likely happens because slowly digested low-GI carbohydrates bypass the upper intestinal K-cells producing GIP and reach the most distant L-cells producing GLP-1.
Why this rating
The paper is a review citing multiple human and animal studies, but explicitly states 'few strong clinical data' exist for low-GI diets themselves.
Source
Incretin Hormones: The Link between Glycemic Index and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Teresa Salvatore et al. · Nutrients · 2019
DOI 10.3390/nu11081878
More from this paper
- GLP-1 receptor agonists and endogenous GLP-1 provide cardiovascular protection by improving endothelial function, reducing blood pressure, and protecting the myocardium.Strong
- GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) promotes fat storage and has unfavorable vascular effects, contrasting with the protective effects of GLP-1.Moderate
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