Abstract:
Consumption of local staples in Ghana comes with a lot of health-related
issues regarding their load. The study therefore sought to assess the glycaemic
index and load of sweet potatoes, taro and firm ripe plantain, which are
commonly consumed in Ghana. The study was conducted at the Biriwa
Baobab Medical Centre in Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region of
Ghana. Nineteen (19) participants (9 males and 10 females) were purposively
and randomly selected in accordance with the study protocol for determining
glycaemic index and load of the test foods for the study. A crossover
experimental design was adopted for the study. The results of the study
showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the glycaemic
index of sweet potatoes, taro and firm ripe plantain at p < 0.004. Additionally,
there was a statistically significant difference in the glycaemic load of sweet
potatoes, taro and firm ripe plantain at p < 0.00. Also, a statistically significant
difference in the chemical composition of sweet potatoes, taro and firm ripe
plantain was discovered at p < 0.00. It was concluded that sweet potatoes had
the least GI of 33.92 while firm ripe plantain and taro had medium and high
GIs of 58.89 and 98.76 respectively. The GLs of the test foods were 161.85,
62.88 and 43.64 for taro, firm ripe plantain and sweet potatoes respectively.
All the test foods had high GLs (GL≥20). The study therefore recommended
among others that dieticians help in educating the general public on the
consequences of consuming high glycaemic foods.
