Eating five servings of white rice per week was associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health completed a study in which they found eating five servings of white rice per week was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating two or more servings of brown rice was associated with a lower risk of the disease. They also found replacing 50 grams of white rice with the same amount of brown rice, (one third of a daily serving) could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 16%. Replacing the same amount of white rice with whole wheat or barley was associated with a 36% reduced risk.

Rice consumption in the U.S. has dramatically increased in recent decades. Replacing white rice and other refined grains with whole grains, including brown rice, would help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.”

Fiber content, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals, are found in higher amounts in brown rice. Also it often does not generate as large an increase in blood sugar levels after a meal, as does white rice.

In their study they discovered brown rice consumption was not associated with ethnicity. The connection was to a health-conscious diet and lifestyle.

So, From a public health point of view, whole grains, rather than refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, should be recommended as the primary source of carbohydrates for the U.S. population.

Key Words:
Fiber content, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals, type 2 diabetes, brown rice, white rice