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New study links white rice to higher diabetes risk

Category: Diabetes

Individuals who eat a lot of white rice may be significantly more likely to receive lab tests indicating they have type 2 diabetes, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health.

The researchers noted that white rice has a high glycemic index value. Foods with this characteristic have been linked to diabetes risk in the past. Furthermore, compared to brown rice, white rice has little fiber, magnesium or vitamins, which may offset the risk associated with the food's high GI value.

For the study, the team examined the results of previous investigation studying the health of individuals consuming greater amounts of white rice. The findings showed that a person's diabetes risk increases by 10 percent with each serving of white rice they eat per day.

The team said the findings are most relevant to Asian populations, as these groups tend to eat far more white rice than the rest of the Western world. Individuals should consider eating more whole grains such as brown rice instead, which has far more beneficial nutrients, the researchers concluded.