The Glycemic Index measures the quality of a carbohydrate food and can be affected but various factors such as the fat content and the proteins content of the food, industrial food processing, and even the cooking methods and the cooling of foods. Understanding how the GI of foods changes, helps us in choosing and preparing our foods in a better healthier way. 

1- Food Processing 

The more processed a food is, the higher its Glycemic Index and the quicker this food will be digested. when consuming highly processed foods, the digestion processes involve less work for our body as compared to less processed foods. Thus inducing a quicker blood sugar spike. 

2- Cooking of food

Cooking foods can increase their glycemic index, the reason is that the cooking process swells the starch molecules contained in foods making them easier to digest.

3- Cooling of food

Newer researches have shown that cooling foods has an impact on their glycemic index. For example, some types of rice or potatoes are high GI foods, but if we let them cool down after cooking and use them in rice salad or potato salad, this can help lower their glycemic index.

4- Fat and Protein Content of food

We usually do not eat carbohydrate foods in isolation, the fat and proteins contained in the food also modify its Glycemic Index. 

Researches have shown that foods with a higher fat and protein content tend to have a lower GI. Proteins and fat generally take longer to digest, and this will alter how quick the glucose level rises after eating the food. 

5- Fiber and Starches Content of food

Foods with a low content of starch and high content of fiber tend to have a lower glycemic index level – for example Oats, grains and barley.

6- Acid content in foods

The acid present in some foods has been proven to slow down the digestion of the foods consumed at the same meal- here are few examples:

• Sourdough bread which acidity tends to lower the rise of blood glucose level after its consumption compared to average white bread. 
• Vinegar and Lemon juice which can be used for homemade salad dressing or as an addition to various dishes.

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