1. Blood glucose and hormone (insulin and glucagon) responses to low- versus high-glycemic carbohydrates. The blue line represents the blood glucose response following ingestion of low glycemic index carbohydrates. Note the slow rise, lower peak, and gradual return of blood glucose to within normal ranges following the secretion of insulin. The orange line represents blood glucose responses to high glycemic index food. Note that blood glucose concentration increases quickly, peaks at a higher level compared with low glycemic index carbohydrates, and quickly drops following a greater release of insulin. This rapid drop triggers the production of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver, to stabilize blood glucose. Thus, a greater fluctuation of blood glucose following high-glycemic carbohydrates is less desirable from a health standpoint.
Source: Introduction to Basic Sports Nutrition, Exercise Physiology
Citation: Porcari JP, Bryant CX, Comana F. Exercise Physiology; 2015 Available at: Accessed: October 29, 2017
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