White rice consumption and risk of Type 2 Diabetes

White Rice is a staple food and eaten regularly in many Asian countries. On average, people from Asian countries ate about four servings of white rice daily whereas the people from Western countries ate less than five servings a week. A study suggests eating white rice might be pleasing to the palate, but it significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes when eaten regularly. Findings from this study further confirm that regularly eating white rice is not a good idea. The study found that each serving per day of white rice consumption was associated with an 11% increase in risk of diabetes in the overall population.

Hu et al., (2012) conducted a study to review evidence on the association between white rice consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed the results of studies in Asian countries (China and Japan) and in Western countries (the U.S. and Australia). None of the participants had diabetes at the study baseline. The review of the four studies involved around 350,000 participants tracked anywhere from four to 22 years. The review took into account factors such as weight, exercise levels and diet of volunteers. During follow-up research, around 13,200 people developed diabetes.

The result affirms that the more servings of white rice eaten per day, the higher are an individual’s chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes. The authors estimate that the risk of type 2 diabetes is increased by 11 percent with each increased serving of white rice (assuming 158 grams per serving). Researchers concluded higher consumption of white rice is associated with a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes, especially in Asian (Chinese and Japanese) populations. This association between consumption of white rice and risk of type 2 diabetes appears to be stronger for Asians than for Western populations.

White rice is the predominant type of rice eaten worldwide and has high Glycemic Index (GI) values. High GI diets are tied with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes. The culture of white rice consumption seen in Asian countries will increase the risk for diabetes substantially. Rice has been a staple food for thousands of years in the Asian population. Given the Asian culture of consuming white rice regularly the risk seems unlikely to be transferred to the Western countries because of the low consumption of rice. Nonetheless, increasing trend of obesity and diabetes is rampant in western world despite of less white rice consumption. The transition in nutrition characterized by decreased physical activity levels; improved security and varieties of food that has led to increased prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance in the western world. Hence, it’s important to think about how food plays into our culture. It’s all about what we eat, what we do, and our genes. We can’t change our genes; however we can make some healthy lifestyle changes.

The study found a link between white rice consumption and diabetes, but it did not prove that the food causes the blood-sugar disease. The study was not designed to show how white rice may increase the risk for diabetes. Whatsoever, researchers have their theories based on Glycemic Index (GI) -- white rice has the highest glycemic index (which means it can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels). White rice also has fewer nutrients, including fiber and magnesium, which may help lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This study limits the ability to establish cause and effect; therefore to determine if, actually white rice increases the risk of type 2 diabetes controlled studies are needed. Future research should focus on how to eat less, consume foods of lower glycemic index and exercise more to prevent diabetes and obesity.

Reference: Hu EA, Pan A, Malik V, Sun Q. (2012). White rice consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: meta-analysis and systematic review. BMJ , 344:e1454.