摘要：The Glycemic Indices (GI) of three yam cultivars commonly consumed in Nigeria were studied. The yam cultivars were white yam ( Dioscorea rotundata Poir ), water yam ( Dioscorea alata ) and three-leaved yam ( Dioscorea domentroum ). Five normal (healthy) volunteers participated in the study. GI was determined using a standard method with glucose as the reference food. Fifty (50) gram available carbohydrate portions of the yam cultivars were analyzed for proximate composition and dietary fiber by enzymatic-gravimetric method. The mean IAUCs (glycemic responses) for the test foods and glucose ranged from 863.5-3642.84 and were significantly different. Expectedly, glucose had the highest glycemic response of 3642.84. The mean IAUC for white yam, water yam and three-leaved yam were 2386.50, 863.50 and 1929.08 respectively. The GI of white yam (67) and three-leaved yam (56) were significantly higher than that of water yam (24). It was concluded that white yam and three-leaved yam are intermediate or medium glycemic food, whereas water yam is a low GI food.
