Pragmatic Carbohydrate Quality Metrics in Relation to Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Front-of-Pack Warning Labels in Grain Foods
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The challenges in the characterization of the nutritional quality of grain foods comprise obstacles to public health actions toward promotion of healthier grain-based foods. The present study investigated how carbohydrate metrics related to glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and warning labels of grain foods consumed by individuals living in São Paulo, Brazil. Information on intake of grain foods at individual level was obtained using 24 h recalls within a cross-sectional population-based survey conducted in 2015. There were 244 unique grain products reported by individuals in the survey, assessed through four metrics of carbohydrate quality, considering contents per 10 g of total carbohydrate: (1) ≥1 g fiber, (2) ≥1 g fiber and <1 g free sugars, (3) ≥1 g fiber and <2 g free sugars, and (4) ≥1 g fiber, and <2 g free sugars per 1 g of fiber. Outcomes included GI, GL, and inclusion of warning labels proposed by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the Chilean Ministry of Health (1st and 3rd stages), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Metrics identified products with lower mean GI (−12.8 to −9.0 [p-values < 0.001]), and GL (−12.5 to −10.3 [p-values < 0.001]). Warning systems showed a certain degree of discrimination between products according to the metrics (p-value < 0.01 each); however, >50% of products with good nutritional quality according to the carbohydrate metrics still would receive warnings. Findings suggest that carbohydrate metrics identified products with lower GI and GL, and current warning labels may not adequately capture overall nutritional quality of grain foods.
Source: Foods
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,296
Awards: G1668413496, G1824050588, G1989660963, G2085870855, G2121513175, G2771027789, G3342481834, G458145119, G4816095662, G5596287346, G5734165432, Biochemical indicators of micronutrient status and usual intakes of residents from the City of São Paulo - ISA-Capital Survey 2013, G5917050882, G6153947977, G7062043628, G7087632088, G725452964, G8147403886, G8296888867, Lifestyle, biochemical and genetic markers as cardiometabolic risk factors: Health Survey in São Paulo City, G8466876107, G8500700032, G87044179
OpenAlex ID: W4395075486