Assigning glycemic index to foods in a recent Australian food composition database

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016 Feb;70(2):280-1. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.186. Epub 2015 Oct 28.

Abstract

This paper describes the compilation of a special edition of the AUSNUT2011-2013 food composition database that includes glycemic index (GI) values. A 6-step, systematic methodology was used to assign GI to 5644 foods included in AUSNUT2011-2013. A total of 1752 (31%) foods were assigned a GI of 0 owing to low carbohydrate content; 363 (6%) had a direct match in 1 of the 4 data tables used; 1738 (31%) were assigned the GI of a 'closely related' food item; 1526 (27%) were assigned the weighted mean GI of ingredients; 205 (4%) were assigned the median GI of their corresponding food subgroup; 49 (<1%) were assigned a GI of 0 because they were not a significant source of carbohydrate in typical diets; and 5 (<1%) were assigned a default GI. We propose that this database should be used for all future Australian GI research until a subsequent version/update is compiled.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Databases, Factual*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / analysis*
  • Food Analysis / methods*
  • Glycemic Index*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates