Higher dietary glycemic index, but not glycemic load, is associated with increased risk of ulcerative colitis: a prospective cohort study

During a median follow-up of 10.6 years, 335 cases of ulcerative colitis were identified.

• A higher dietary glycemic index is associated with an increased risk of ulcerative colitis.
• The hazard ratio for ulcerative colitis per 1-SD increment in glycemic index is 1.13.
• The hazard ratio for ulcerative colitis comparing the highest to lowest quartile of glycemic index is 1.46.
• Replacing medium or high-glycemic-index foods with low-glycemic-index foods may lower the risk of ulcerative colitis.
• No significant associations were found between dietary glycemic load and the risk of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

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