Cardiovascular diseases are considered a great public health problem since they are the main cause of death in Brazil and in the world. These diseases have a multifactorial etiology. Besides genetic susceptibility, other factors such as age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity and some inadequate dietary habits are considered important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, there are several controversies concerning how the quality of the ingested carbohydrate influences the development of such diseases, regardless of amount. The glycemic index is an indicator of carbohydrate quality. Its use in free living conditions has been questioned, due to the interference of several factors which are difficult to control under such conditions. The aim of this paper was to critically analyze studies that evaluated the effect of the glycemic index of foods in the manifestation of cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors.
Glycemic index; Cardiovascular diseases; Atherosclerosis. Dyslipidemias; Carbohydrates
