New research from the US has suggested that a low GI diet may improve blood glucose management in young people with diabetes.

The study of 20 young people aged 7-16 years on multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy, compared the effect of a high GI diet with a low GI diet on blood glucose levels (BGLs). Meal times, activity levels and carbohydrate intake were consistent between the two diets.

Using continuous blood glucose monitoring, the researchers found that BGLs were in the target range 66% of the time on the low GI diet versus 47% on the high GI diet; and average daytime BGLs were lower on the low GI diet. However, hypoglycaemia also occurred more frequently on the low GI diet.

While the study was limited duration and only had a small number of participants, it suggests there may be some benefits of a low GI diet for young people with type 1 diabetes. More research in this area is needed.