Study Finds White Rice Consumption Increases Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Posted on March 16, 2012
A new study claims that the risk of type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if white rice is eaten regularly. The authors from the Harvard School of Public Health looked at previous studies and evidence of the association between eating white rice and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The authors analyzed 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.
The researchers say a significant trend was found in both Asian and Western countries with a stronger association found amongst women than men. The researchers say their results also show that the more white rice eaten, the higher the risk of type 2 diabetes.
White rice has a lower content of nutrients than brown rice including fiber, magnesium and vitamins, some of which are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers say that a high consumption of white rice may lead to increased risk because of the low intake of these nutrients.