07/02/2025
Glycemic Index & Glycine & Metabolic Health
Numerous meta-analyses have explored the relationship between dietary glycemic index (GI) and various health outcomes:
A meta-analysis from the British Journal of Nutrition in 2004 evaluated the health effects of using the glycaemic index in meal-planning, concluding that low GI diets can improve metabolic control in diabetic patients by reducing total cholesterol and aiding in better glucose management (Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
Another meta-analysis published on "ScienceDirect" looked into the association between GI, glycemic load (GL), and chronic disease risk, suggesting that low GI diets could be associated with a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease ((Trinidad, et al., 2002)).
The association between GI and cancer risk has been meta-analysed, showing a direct link with colorectal and endometrial cancer risk but mixed results for other cancers (Barazzoni, et al., 2019).
Glycine:
While there isn't a meta-analysis directly linking glycine with the glycemic index, there is research showing glycine's metabolic effects:
The study from Barazzoni, et al,. investigated the metabolic response to ingested glycine in healthy subjects. It found that glycine might stimulate insulin secretion or enhance the effect of insulin on glucose removal from the blood when ingested with glucose, suggesting a potential role in glucose metabolism.
Conclusion:
Combining these findings from Barazzoni and Trinidad, glycine could potentially influence glycemic responses, especially when consumed with carbohydrates, due to its impact on insulin secretion or enhancement of insulin action.
In conclusion, while the glycemic index has been thoroughly researched with meta-analyses underscoring the health advantages of low GI diets for diabetes management and the potential for decreasing chronic disease risk, glycine presents itself as a versatile compound with multiple health benefits. Notably, glycine's low toxicity profile combined with its wide-ranging effects, including its role in insulin secretion, glucose metabolism, and potentially in reducing inflammation, positions it as a valuable dietary component for health maintenance and disease prevention. Additionally, glycine's interaction with GABA receptors may enhance vagal tone, further contributing to its therapeutic potential in modulating stress responses and metabolic health.
References:
Barazzoni, R., Deutz, N. E. P., Biolo, G., Bischoff, S., Boirie, Y., Cederholm, T., ... & Calder, P. C. (2019). Carbohydrates and insulin resistance in clinical nutrition: Recommendations from the ESPEN expert group. Nutrients, 11(10), 2342. doi:10.3390/nu11102342
Trinidad, P. T., Mallillin, A. C., Loyola, A. S., Sagum, R. S., & Encabo, R. R. (2002). Health benefits of low glycaemic index foods, such as pulses, in diabetic patients and healthy individuals. British Journal of Nutrition, 88(S3), S255-S262. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/1E821782107673365E94170333E994A6/S0007114502002544a.pdf/health-benefits-of-low-glycaemic-index-foods-such-as-pulses-in-diabetic-patients-and-healthy-individuals.pdf