The glycemic index of a food refers to the amount of effect it has on increasing blood sugar. Carbohydrates that break down quickly have a high glycemic index because they release sugar rapidly into the blood stream. High glycemic foods stress the body by creating a sudden demand for it to produce insulin. Refined sugar, desserts and sweet snacks tend to have a very high glycemic index.
Research that appeared in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (epublished ahead of print June 1, 2011) looked at the relationship between polycystic ovarian disease and the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index. Of the 210 female subjects of the study, 53% had a BMI greater than 25 kg/m. Of the women with polycystic ovarian disease, 68% consumed more than 35% of their calories from fat. Obese women with polycystic ovarian disease
