glycemic index

noun

: a measure of the rate at which ingested food causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise

also : a ranking of foods according to the glycemic index

—abbreviation GI

Examples of glycemic index in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brown rice has a low glycemic index, measuring how quickly and how high blood glucose can rise when affected by foods. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025

Choosing low glycemic index foods can help stabilize your blood sugar levels. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Jan. 2025

This means that compared to other breads, sourdough is low on the glycemic index (GI), a classification system that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods on a scale of 0-100 according to their impact on blood sugar levels. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 2025

The nutrition experts recommend especially prioritizing low glycemic index carbohydrates such as legumes, whole grains, and tubers. —Vicky Vera, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

glycemic index

noun

: a measure of the rate at which an ingested food causes the level of glucose in the blood to rise

the insulin response caused by carbohydrate depends on the glycemic index … of the food

—Trevor Smith

also : a ranking of foods according to their glycemic index

—abbreviation GI