The risk of type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if white rice is eaten regularly, claims a new study.
The risk of type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if white rice
is eaten regularly, claims a study published today onbmj.com.
The
authors from the Harvard School of Public Health look at previous
studies and evidence of the association between eating white rice and
the risk of type 2 diabetes. Their study seeks to determine whether this
risk is dependent on the amount of rice consumed and if the association
is stronger for the Asian population, who tend to eat more white rice
than the Western world.
The authors analysed the results of four
studies: two in Asian countries (China and Japan) and two in Western
countries (USA and Australia). All participants were diabetes free at
study baseline.
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. The results also show
that the more white rice eaten, the higher the risk of type 2 diabetes:
the authors estimate that the risk of type 2 diabetes is increased by
10% with each increased serving of white rice (assuming 158g per
serving).
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. The authors report,
therefore, that a high consumption of white rice may lead to increased
risk because of the low intake of these nutrients.
In conclusion,
the authors state 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.
In an accompanying
editorial, Dr Bruce Neal from the University of Sydney suggests that
more, bigger studies are needed to substantiate the research hypothesis
that white rice increases the chances of getting type 2 diabetes.
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