Effect of varying glycemic index meals on blood glucose control assessed with continuous glucose monitoring in youth with type 1 diabetes on basal-bolus insulin regimens

Tonja R. Nansel; Lauren Gellar; Adrienne McGill

doi:10.2337/dc07-1879

Effect of varying glycemic index meals on blood glucose control assessed with continuous glucose monitoring in youth with type 1 diabetes on basal-bolus insulin regimens

Tonja R. Nansel, PhD (nanselt{at}mail.nih.gov)¹,
Lauren Gellar, MS, CHES² and
Adrienne McGill, MHS³

¹Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD
²University of Massachusetts Medical School, Clinical & Population Health Research Division, Worcester, MA
³University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Growth and Nutrition Division, Baltimore, MD

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the effect of high glycemic index (HGI) and low glycemic index (LGI) meals on blood glucose levels using continuous blood glucose monitoring in youths with type 1 diabetes.

Research Design & Methods: Twenty youths on basal-bolus regimens consumed 1 day each of macronutrient-matched HGI and LGI meals in a controlled setting in varying order following consumption of a standardized evening meal. Medtronic MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System was used to assess blood glucose (BG) profiles.

Results: Participants demonstrated significantly lower daytime mean BG, BG area above 180 mg/dl, and high BG index when consuming LGI meals, but no differences for daytime BG area under 70 mg/dl, daytime low BG index, or any nighttime values. Significantly more BG values <80 mg/dl were treated on LGI days.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that consumption of a LGI diet may reduce glucose excursions, improving glycemic control.