Research

Hormonal

A low glycaemic index (GI) diet improves lipid profiles (lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL; higher HDL) and reduces cardiovascular disease risk in both diabetic and healthy individuals.

To improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, focus on the glycaemic index of your carbohydrates. Swap refined carbs (white bread, sugar) for low-GI options like pulses, legumes, and whole grains. This approach lowers bad lipids (VLDL, Triglycerides) and raises good cholesterol (HDL), reducing your risk of heart disease more effectively than simply eating low-fat.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
A meta-analysis of eleven studies... lists the following improvements after a low-GI diet: ... a 6 % decline of total cholesterol, and a 9 % fall in triacylglycerols... Prospective studies have demonstrated that low-GI CHO improves insulin sensitivity in subjects with diabetes, obesity and CHD... VLDL concentrations are lowered.
Salwa W. Rizkalla et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2002

Why this rating

Supported by meta-analyses, large prospective cohort studies (Nurses' Health Study, Health Professional Follow-up Study), and mechanistic animal/human studies.

Source

Health benefits of low glycaemic index foods, such as pulses, in diabetic patients and healthy individuals

Salwa W. Rizkalla et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2002

DOI 10.1079/bjn2002715

narrative_reviewCited 274×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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