Glycaemic index and glycaemic load in relation to blood lipids - 6 years of follow-up in adult Danish men and women

Public Health Nutr. 2006 Sep;9(6):737-45. doi: 10.1079/phn2005916.

Abstract

Background: Cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between glycaemic index (GI) or glycaemic load (GL) and serum lipids. However, no prospective studies have been performed.

Objective: To examine whether GI or GL was associated with subsequent changes in serum lipids.

Design: Prospective study with 6 years of follow-up. Overall dietary GI and GL of each participant were assessed from diet history interviews.

Setting: Population-based study. Subjects Three hundred and thirty-five healthy men and women aged 35-65 years selected randomly from a larger sample of Danish adults.

Results: In men GI was directly related to changes in total cholesterol (DeltaTC), regression coefficient (beta) = 0.0044 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0008-0.0081) and GL was positively related to changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (DeltaLDL), beta = 0.1554 (95% CI: 0.0127-0.2982). Furthermore, the relationship between GL and DeltaTC was modified by age, being particularly strong for the younger men (P = 0.02). In women the relationship between GI and DeltaLDL was modified by age and was stronger for younger rather than older women (P = 0.01). A tendency for a similar interaction was seen for GI and DeltaTC (P = 0.09). Associations between GL and DeltaLDL and GL and DeltaTC were inverse for women with body mass index > or = 30 kg m(-2) (P = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that dietary GI and GL are related to 6-year changes in serum lipid levels. However, associations were weak and generally confined to subgroups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Diet Surveys
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / classification
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glycemic Index*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Cholesterol