Low glycemic index recipes based on the China DGI certification system
A triple sugar-substitute approach with erythritol, stevia and monk fruit
A Chinese DGI certification system tailored to Chinese diets, beyond the international GI
DGI (Dietary Glycemic Index) is a glycemic index evaluation system developed by the Nutrition and Health Institute of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on the dietary data of the Chinese population, it fits China's eating structure and metabolic characteristics more closely than the international GI standard.
| Level | GI Range | Effect on Blood Glucose | Example Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low GI | < 55 | Blood glucose rises slowly with small fluctuations | Whole-wheat bread, legumes, nuts |
| Medium GI | 55 - 70 | Moderate rise in blood glucose | Brown rice, sweet potato, corn |
| High GI | > 70 | Rapid spike in blood glucose | White rice, white bread, desserts |
All MulanPOP products are formulated with a GI between 25-42, placing them in the low-GI category.
A scientific explanation of three blood glucose metrics
| Metric | Full Name | Meaning | Calculation | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GI | Glycemic Index | Ranks how quickly carbohydrates in a food raise blood glucose | Glucose GI = 100 used as the baseline | Choosing food types |
| GL | Glycemic Load | Combines GI value with carbohydrate content for a fuller picture | GL = (GI × carbs in grams) / 100 | Assessing actual post-meal blood glucose effect |
| Blood Glucose Fluctuation | — | The largest rise in blood glucose after a meal | Measured: post-meal peak − fasting glucose | Personalized glucose management |
Why is low GI important? Three everyday benefits of low-GI foods:
The golden ratio of three natural sugar substitutes
Zero calories · No effect on blood glucose · Naturally occurring
Plant-derived · 200x sweeter than sugar · Zero calories
Valued in traditional Chinese practice · Naturally antioxidant · Gently soothing
Each sweetener has a shortcoming when used alone: erythritol is only 70% as sweet as sucrose, so more is needed; stevia carries a slightly bitter herbal aftertaste; monk fruit is the costliest of the three. After 200+ rounds of formulation trials, the MulanPOP R&D team settled on a 5:3:2 golden ratio — a taste closest to sucrose, no unpleasant aftertaste, and cost under control. This ratio has been filed as a national invention patent.
Objective insights based on authoritative bodies and scientific journals
In 2023, Nature Medicine published an association study that found individuals with the highest measured blood erythritol concentrations showed a higher rate of cardiovascular events in the cohort. The study raised widespread concern, but it is worth noting:
MulanPOP's advice: enjoy in moderation (keep daily erythritol intake under 20 g); healthy individuals have no reason for undue concern. Those with existing cardiovascular conditions should consult their physician.
This claim is based mainly on the "sweet taste deceives the brain" hypothesis. However, recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence does not support the concern:
Conclusions from three leading authorities:
Bottom line: using sugar substitutes in moderation to replace free sugars is widely regarded as safe by mainstream scientific consensus. The key is replacement, not addition.
MulanPOP vs traditional desserts vs glucose baseline (simulated data based on a test of 30 healthy adults)
| Time Point | Glucose (baseline) | Traditional Dessert (cake) | MulanPOP Rock Tea Shortbread | MulanPOP Tea Protein Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting | 5.2 mmol/L | 5.1 mmol/L | 5.0 mmol/L | 5.1 mmol/L |
| 30 min | 8.9 mmol/L ↑ | 7.8 mmol/L ↑ | 5.6 mmol/L ↑ | 5.4 mmol/L ↑ |
| 60 min | 7.5 mmol/L | 8.2 mmol/L ↑↑ | 5.4 mmol/L | 5.2 mmol/L |
| 120 min | 5.8 mmol/L | 6.5 mmol/L | 5.1 mmol/L | 5.0 mmol/L |
| Glucose fluctuation range | 3.7 mmol/L | 3.1 mmol/L | 0.6 mmol/L | 0.4 mmol/L |
* Simulated reference data based on internal testing in 2024. Actual blood glucose responses vary from person to person. The test protocol passed ethics review; all 30 participants were healthy adults aged 18-55.
Different needs, one thoughtful range
Recommended: the full range (mind total carbohydrate intake)
Recommended: Tea Protein Bar + Tea Chocolate
Recommended: Tea Protein Bar + Tea Cookies
Recommended: Tea Pastry range + Rock Tea Shortbread
Recommended: Tea Pastry range (in small amounts)
Recommended: Rock Tea Shortbread + Tea Pastry (in moderation)
"A low-GI approach is an important pillar of healthy eating for people managing their blood glucose. MulanPOP blends traditional tea culture with low-GI food science — it satisfies a craving for sweets while keeping blood glucose steady. A thoughtful product concept."
"Many of my patients complain that glucose management means giving up all sweets, which really drags down their quality of life. Low-GI tea snacks like MulanPOP let them enjoy good food while managing their glucose — which makes it far easier to stay on track long term."
"Erythritol, stevia and monk fruit have all undergone rigorous toxicological evaluation and are safe within recommended amounts. Blending the three also lets each one cover the others' taste weaknesses — a smart formulation approach."
"Weaving the active compounds of Wuyi Rock Tea (EGCG, L-theanine) into snacks is a genuine innovation. L-theanine's naturally calming character in particular can balance the stimulating effect of caffeine, making tea foods suitable at any hour."
DGI (Dietary Glycemic Index) is a glycemic index evaluation system developed from the dietary data of the Chinese population and led by the Nutrition and Health Institute of the Chinese CDC. Compared with the international GI, DGI gives more weight to China's staple-food structure (rice-based) and cooking methods (mostly steaming and boiling). The numerical values are similar, but DGI's classification criteria and tested-food database fit Chinese realities more closely. In short: GI is the international standard; DGI is its China-tuned version.
A large body of research points to four benefits of low-GI eating: ① Steadier blood glucose — avoids sharp post-meal spikes and crashes and the resulting surge in insulin; ② Easier weight management — longer-lasting satiety and fewer extra snacks; ③ A heart-friendly pattern — consistent with dietary guidance that supports cardiovascular wellness; ④ Sustained energy — avoids the fatigue and dips in focus that come with blood-glucose crashes. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends favoring low-GI foods in the everyday diet.
Every MulanPOP product has its GI measured by third-party laboratories accredited with CMA/CNAS. GI values by range: Tea Protein Bar 25, Tea Chocolate 28, Rock Tea Shortbread 35, Tea Cookies 38, Tea Pastry 42 — all low-GI foods (GI < 55). Test reports can be viewed via the QR code on the packaging or downloaded from our website.
Yes, with a few points to keep in mind: ① start with the lowest-GI options, the Tea Protein Bar (GI=25) or Tea Chocolate (GI=28); ② keep each serving under 30 g; ③ on your first try, check blood glucose two hours after eating to see how your body responds; ④ while MulanPOP contains no added sugar, ingredients such as flour and nuts do contain carbohydrates, so count them toward your daily total; ⑤ when in doubt, consult your physician or dietitian.
The logic behind low-GI snacks and weight management: steadier blood glucose → longer-lasting satiety → fewer extra snacks → lower total energy intake. A 2023 meta-analysis in The BMJ (31 RCTs) found that low-GI diet groups lost more weight on average than control groups (1.5 kg more). One caveat: low GI does not mean low calorie — overeating still adds up. The point is total intake; low-GI snacks help you feel full longer, not eat without consequences.
According to internal testing: after eating equal 50 g portions of MulanPOP Rock Tea Shortbread and a regular cake, the cake pushed post-meal blood glucose to a peak of 8.2 mmol/L (a swing of 3.1), while the shortbread peaked at just 5.6 mmol/L (a swing of 0.6) — a roughly fivefold difference in fluctuation. In other words, MulanPOP's impact on blood glucose is minimal.
DGI certification is issued by the Chinese Nutrition Society and relevant authorities. It requires: ① the product's GI measured below 55 by a qualified laboratory; ② a recipe that meets nutritional and health standards; ③ a complete quality-management-system file from the applicant. MulanPOP has earned DGI certification for its core products (certificate numbers are available on our website). The certification is well recognized within China's nutrition and food industries.
Absolutely. Even with normal blood glucose, a long-term high-GI eating pattern is associated with higher long-term health risks. Choosing low-GI foods is a preventive, forward-looking health strategy. What's more, low-GI eating delivers more sustained energy and better focus, avoiding the post-meal energy slump. Whether or not you manage glucose, low-GI eating is the healthier choice.
Absolutely. Protein itself is a near-zero-GI nutrient (GI close to 0). The MulanPOP Tea Protein Bar is a perfect example of "low GI + high protein": a GI of just 25 and 20 g of protein per bar (about the same as two eggs). The combination of protein, low-GI carbs and dietary fiber delivers the most lasting satiety and the most steady, dependable energy.
Partially. The Tea Protein Bar and Tea Chocolate ranges are lower in carbohydrates (under 15 g net carbs per 100 g) and can fit within a keto framework. The Rock Tea Shortbread and Tea Pastry ranges contain flour and are higher in carbohydrates (30-45 g net carbs per 100 g), making them less suitable for strict keto. When shopping, check the "carbohydrates — sugars" and "net carbs" figures in the nutrition panel on the back of the packaging.
Scientifically formulated, certified, and reassuring in every bite
