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What is the equation to calculate glycemic load?

  1. Glycemic load = GI x carbs (g) / 100

  2. Glycemic load = (GI x carbs (g)) + 100

  3. Glycemic load = (GI + carbs (g)) / 100

  4. Glycemic load = GI / (carbs (g) x 100)

The correct answer is: Glycemic load = GI x carbs (g) / 100

The equation to calculate glycemic load is expressed as Glycemic load = GI x carbs (g) / 100. This formula is derived from the relationship between glycemic index (GI) and the amount of carbohydrates in a serving of food. The glycemic index measures how quickly a particular carbohydrate food raises blood glucose levels compared to pure glucose. By multiplying the glycemic index of a food by the total amount of carbohydrates it contains (in grams) and then dividing by 100, you get a numerical value that reflects the food's impact on blood sugar. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of how different foods can influence blood glucose levels, taking into account both their quality (GI) and quantity (amount of carbohydrates). In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the proper calculation of glycemic load. For instance, adding or altering the components inappropriately would not yield a valid measure of glycemic load, as they either misrepresent the relationship between GI and carbohydrate content or introduce incorrect mathematical operations that don't conform to the original definition. Therefore, the equation provided in the correct answer effectively captures the essence of glycemic load calculation as intended in nutritional science.