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glycemic index
noun
: a measure of the rate at which ingested food causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise
also
: a ranking of foods according to the glycemic index
—abbreviation GI
Examples of glycemic index in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In comparison to other foods, the fruit scores mid-range on the glycemic index scale, according to Healthline.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024
The riper a fruit is, the higher its glycemic index.
—Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 25 June 2023
These foods have a high glycemic index, which is a measure of the increase in blood sugar after consumption, Willett said.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2023
Two tablespoons of hummus provide: (USDA, 2019) Calories: 82.4
Protein: 2.5g
Fat: 5.8g
Carbohydrates: 5.1g
Fiber: 1.8g
Hummus has a low glycemic index, which means its carbohydrates take the body longer to digest and break down, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 26 Sep. 2023
When a person eats a food like potatoes with a high glycemic index, the starch is easily and quickly absorbed, causing a spike in blood sugar leading to more fat being produced and stored.
—Linda Carroll, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2023
This means that ripe fruit will raise your blood sugar more than a food with a low glycemic index.
—Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 25 June 2023
Apples and other fruit are considered low glycemic index foods because of their fructose and fiber content.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 26 Sep. 2023
Controls Your Blood Sugar Grapefruit has a low glycemic index (GI), a measure of how quickly carbs raise your blood sugar.5 Low-GI foods do not raise blood sugar as quickly or as much as high-GI foods.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 10 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glycemic index.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1981, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near glycemic index
Cite this Entry
“Glycemic index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycemic%20index. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Medical Definition
glycemic index
noun
: a measure of the rate at which an ingested food causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise
the insulin response caused by carbohydrate depends on the glycemic index … of the food—Trevor Smith
also
: a ranking of foods according to their glycemic index
—abbreviation GI
More from Merriam-Webster on glycemic index
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycemic index
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