The Glycemic Index measures a food's potential for raising or lowering blood sugar levels. White bread is used as the reference with an index of 100. To compare, peanuts have a desirable low response level of 13. The lower the level, the better.
Blood sugar levels can regulate appetites, energy, moods and control the way food is turned into fat or fuel. Low-response foods, such as peanuts, boost energy levels, burn off calories and build muscle.
In addition to being a low-response food, peanuts' good taste and portability make them a favorite snack of recreational athletes with diabetes -- and non-diabetic athletes, too -- for maintaining their energy levels.
