Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is the rate at which a carbohydrate breaks down to be released as glucose into the bloodstream. Remember "release too fast and you get the fast high, fast crash blood sugar syndrome", as well as the attendant problems of insulin secretion and glucagon (hormone that burns fat) suppression. Releasing glucose at a slower rate can provide the brain and body with a steady stream of energy over several hours, a rate preferable for most of us to maintain energy throughout the day. This also prevents fatigue. It has nothing to do with the amount of carbs, it is the ease with which food is digested, the quantity of fiber and form in which food is eaten.