The latest in a series of studies looking for an association between glycemic load and colorectal cancer was just published following 73,061 Chinese women for an average of 9 years. The answer appears to remain the same: no link, whether you look at the PLCO study, Multiethnic Cohort study, or a recent meta-analysis of 12 other studies. So while I don't advocate consumption of high glycemic load nutrition, at least there appears to be no harm with regards to colorectal cancer. By the way, glycemic load is defined as glycemic index multiplied by absorbable (or net) carbohydrates, which are based upon serving size. So the more servings you eat of any food, the higher your glycemic load, even though the glycemic index of that item hasn't changed. That's why that pint of ice cream is so bad for you - it actually contains several (usually four) servings that can easily be consumed by one person in one setting. This also means that the higher the fiber content in your food item, the more likely it is to have a the lower absorbable carbohydrate compared to a similar portion of a similar food with less fiber.
So learn to read ingredient labels. Or at least avoid processed foods found in boxes & containers and choose fruits & vegetables from the produce section of your supermarket. While it may not make a difference for your colorectal cancer risk, it will certainly improve other aspects of your health.
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