Glycaemic index and glycaemic load of commonly consumed Thai fruits

Abstract

The present work was aimed to determine the glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) of commonly consumed Thai fruits for the potential risk of chronic diseases. Healthy subjects consumed 25 g available carbohydrate (fruits and glucose) in random order. Eighteen fruits were classified as low GI (26.5 - 54.8%) including jujube, unripe mango, banana (Kluai-Namwa, Kluai-Khai, and Kluai-Leb-Mu-Nang varieties), guava, tamarind, jackfruit, durian (Monthong and Chanee varieties), tangerine, longan, starfruit, pomelo (Thong Dee variety), sapodilla, white dragon fruit, sala, and rambutan. Fruits with medium GI (55.4 - 69.6%) includes pomelo (Kao Nampheung variety), banana (Kluai Hom variety), red dragon fruit, watermelon, coconut, mangosteen, longkong, ripe mango, papaya, rose apple, and lychee. Pineapple has a high GI value. Most of the studied fruits were classified as low GL except for tamarind, red dragon fruit, mangosteen, lychee, and pineapple which were classified as medium GL. Various kinds of Thai fruits provided different GI and GL values. Therefore, low GI fruit with low GL regimen can be considered as alternative food sources to be used for diet manipulation in diabetic patients as well as in healthy population.