David J. A. Jenkins (born 20 July 1942) is a British-born University Professor in the department of Nutritional Sciences at the
University of Toronto, Canada.[1][2] He is an advocate and researcher of
plant-based nutrition.[3][4][5]
Jenkins is credited with developing the concept of the
glycemic index as a way of explaining the way in which dietary
carbohydrate impacts
blood sugar.[7] His first paper on the subject appeared in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1981.[8] Jenkins went on to author at least 15 more clinical studies on the effects of the glycemic index.
Portfolio diet
More recently his focus has shifted to optimising serum lipids rather than glycemic index, culminating in a diet he calls the
Portfolio diet that prioritises whole plant foods such as nuts,
soy, healthy fats,
plant sterols and
soluble fibre.[3][9] He has run clinically based dietary trials to elucidate the potential of the diet to prevent and treat
chronic diseases such as
cardiovascular disease.[10]