INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN DIETS IN DIABETES RISK

India is witnessing a swift increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), highlighting the imperative to examine dietary patterns that influence glycemic responses. This review aimed to evaluate the relationship between traditional Indian dietary patterns and the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) by employing the concepts of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL), with a particular emphasis on dietary transitions towards modern, high-glycemic diets. A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed clinical trials, national nutrition surveys, and food composition databases to assess the glycemic index and glycemic load profiles of traditional and modern Indian diets. Studies indicate that traditional diets abundant in millets, pulses, legumes, and foods processed through fermentation or parboiling are associated with diminished postprandial glycemic responses and increased insulin sensitivity. On the other hand, eating more processed cereals, sugary drinks, and fried snacks is always linked to a higher dietary glycemic load and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The results show that the Indian diet is changing a lot.