White Rice Increases Diabetes Risk, US Scientists Say
Eating white rice could increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Harvard researchers claimed.
Each large serving of white rice was linked to an 11 percent increased risk, scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health concluded from an analysis of four studies carried out in China, Japan, Australia and the US.
The study authors wrote in the British Medical Journal, “We found that higher white rice consumption was associated with a significantly elevated risk of Type 2 diabetes. This association seems to be stronger for Asians than for Western populations.”
The studies followed 350,000 people over 22 years - during which time more than 13,000 people developed Type 2 diabetes.
The researchers noted that compared with brown rice, white rice has a lower content of many nutrients including fiber, magnesium and vitamins, some of which - especially fiber and magnesium - are thought to protect against diabetes.
White rice is the most common type of rice eaten worldwide. The researchers claimed that people in Asian countries eat it an average of three to four times a day, compared with an average of one to two servings a week for people in Western countries.
As far as calories, carbohydrates, and protein are concerned, both brown and white rice contain similar amounts. However, in terms of vitamins and minerals, brown rice is a good source of vitamins such as Vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) vitamin B3 (niacine), iron, along with magnesium and dietary fiber.
In white rice, many of these nutrients are polished away. In the US, these vitamins and minerals are added back to the rice, and sold as enriched rice.
Rice is a great source of complex carbohydrates which give us the energy we need. According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations), rice provides 20 percent of the world’s dietary energy supply.
The Harvard researchers said the study took into account a variety of factors including weight, lifestyle and diet.
A white rice diet is no longer considered the healthy norm, but even so, eating white rice does have some health advantages over other carbohydrate choices. Though there has been a push in the media and by many diets to cut out all refined carbohydrates (and eat only whole grains), white rice is actually packed with nutrients and is a staple for millions of people around the world.
White Rice Nutritional Values
White rice falls within the carbohydrate food group, with 85% of its makeup being carbohydrate, 7% fat and 8% protein, as well as offering a wide array of amino acids. White rice is very low in fat and has a higher protein quality at 66% than corn at 49% and whole wheat at 53%. One cup of white rice provides your body with 5 grams of protein and 205 calories.
Rice is a low cholesterol and low fat food that has been used as a part of many diet programs because of its nutritional makeup. Throughout Asia, white rice is a staple food that is eaten every day, and in many cases, at every meal.
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Boston - FOX News Network