What Are The Citrus Fruits and Their Glycemic Index Values?
Citrus Fruits have many health benefits, one being a slower digestion rate due to their low glycemic index value. Slower digestion helps to delay hunger pangs and therefore promote weight loss. Low glycemic index values range from 0 to 55, where intermediate values range from 56 to 69 and high glycemic index values are 70 or higher. Citrus fruits provide acidity that slows gastric emptying and lowers the glycemic index value of food. The lower the value, the longer time it takes to burn and therefore provides long-lasting energy. (The New Glucose Revolution, Page 33, 35) Oranges: (GI Value of 42) Well known as a good source of vitamin C, most of the sugar content of oranges is sucrose. This, along with their high acid content, probably accounts for their low GI Value. Grapefruit (GI Value of 25) The low GI value of grapefruit may be due to its high acid content, which slows absorption from the stomach. Lemons provide acidity that slows gastric emptying and lowers the GI value of food.
