Postprandial hyperglycemia is more strongly associated
with increased release of free radicals and proinflammatory
cytokines than fasting hyperglycemia.
The increased release of these factors is responsible for
the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia on the vasculature
A cross analysis of the intake data from 780 diabetic
men participating in the Health Professionals’ FollowUp
Study indicated that consumption of low GL diets,
independent of fiber content, may increase the serum
concentrations of adiponectin, independent of the dose;
this is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that, among
other important effects on the metabolism, contributes
to increased sensitivity to insulin.39 In another study
involving 511 elderly, higher levels of TNF-α and IL-6
were observed in the in the upper quartile of GI
compared to the lower quartile in the baseline. After
one year of monitoring, there was a decrease in levels
of adiponectin and leptin in those who consumed diets
with higher contents of GI and GL.40 Leptin is a
hormone produced by the adipose tissue, which
controls food intake.41 Thus, results of the study
performed by Bulló et al.40 suggested that consumption
of diets rich in GI and GL favor the occurrence of
obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2