Eating White Rice Increases Risk of Diabetes

Taken from:
http://www.totallyliving.co.uk/food/2012/03/22/eating-white-rice-increases-risk-of-diabetes

The risk of type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if you regularly eat white rice, according to a new study.

White rice is the predominant type of rice eaten worldwide and has high GI values. High GI diets are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The average amount of rice eaten varies widely between Western and Asian countries, with the Chinese population eating an average of four portions a day while those in the Western world eat less than five portions a week.

A significant trend was found in both Asian and Western countries with a stronger association found amongst women than men. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that the more white rice eaten, the higher the risk of type 2 diabetes. They estimate that the risk of type 2 diabetes is increased by 10 per cent with each increased serving of white rice (assuming 158g per serving).

The researchers analysed four previous studies, two in Asian countries (China and Japan) and two in Western countries (U.S. and Australia). All participants were diabetes free when the studies began.

White rice has a lower content of nutrients than brown rice including fibre, magnesium and vitamins, some of which are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the researchers say, a high consumption of white rice may lead to increased risk because of the low intake of these nutrients.

In conclusion, the researchers say that “higher white rice intake is associated with a significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes”. This applies for both Asian and Western cultures, although due to findings suggesting that the more rice eaten the higher the risk, it is thought that Asian countries are at a higher risk. The authors recommend eating whole grains instead of refined carbohydrates such as white rice, which they hope will help slow down the global diabetes epidemic.

Commenting, Dr Bruce Neal from the University of Sydney suggests that bigger studies are needed to substantiate the research hypothesis that white rice increases the chances of getting type 2 diabetes.