glycemic index

noun

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of glycemic index

: 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

Recent Examples of glycemic index from the Web

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index (GI) ranking than cane sugar, which tracks how foods affect blood glucose levels.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "What Is Coconut Sugar, the Alt-Sweetener Taking Over Baking?," 13 Apr. 2018
The researchers from Florida State University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa sought to determine the effect of a pre-exercise carbohydrate on SCAAT lipolysis and whether this effect is mediated by glycemic index.

— NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: What you eat before training and competition matters," 13 Apr. 2018
Well, snacking on foods that are high on the glycemic index (like chips and brownies) can, in turn, trigger your body to produce more ghrelin and other hunger-inducing chemicals, explains Dr. Greves.

— anthea levi, Health.com, "4 Period Symptoms No One Ever Talks About," 8 Mar. 2018
Gluten-free, with four times the protein, thrice the fiber and nearly twice the iron of brown rice, as well as a low glycemic index, fonio is often called a super grain.

— richard morgan, Bloomberg.com, "This African Super Grain Could Solve Famine and Drought (Plus It’s Gluten-Free)," 28 Feb. 2018
How to eat manuka honey Manuka honey and regular honey have about the same sugar content, though some reports suggest manuka honey could have a slightly lower glycemic index.

— anthea levi, Health.com, "What Is Manuka Honey—and Why Is It So Good for You?," 14 Feb. 2018
Some unhealthy foods have a low glycemic index while healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, can have a higher ranking.

— devon baer, baltimoresun.com, "Debunking carbohydrate myths," 26 Dec. 2017
Agave is a natural sweetener that gives you that sweet taste without that sharp rise and fall of your blood sugar because of its lower glycemic index.

— kansascity, "5 KC super smoothies you need to try | The Kansas City Star," 12 Dec. 2017
Not only are apples lower on the glycemic index than many other fruits, several of the phytonutrients in apples have been shown to help regulate blood sugar.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "An apple a day is not half-baked advice," 11 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glycemic index.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of glycemic index

1981

Medical Dictionary

glycemic index

noun

medical Definition of glycemic index

: 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

Learn More about glycemic index

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycemic index

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up glycemic index? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

glycemic index

Definition of glycemic index

Recent Examples of glycemic index from the Web

First Known Use of glycemic index

Medical Dictionary

glycemic index

medical Definition of glycemic index

Learn More about glycemic index

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Syn City

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

glycemic index

Definition of glycemic index

Recent Examples of glycemic index from the Web

First Known Use of glycemic index

Medical Dictionary

glycemic index

medical Definition of glycemic index

Learn More about glycemic index

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes