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MyHealthNewsDaily
Eating white rice regularly may raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.
The results showed that people who ate three to four servings of white rice a day were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than people who ate one to two servings a week.
And the more white rice eaten, the higher the risk of Type 2 diabetes; the authors estimated that the diabetes risk rises by 11 percent with each increased daily serving of white rice.
The study suggested an association, not a cause-and-effect link. Neither doctors nor patients should take "large-scale action" based on the findings; more work is needed to substantiate the idea that white rice increases the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes, according to Bruce Neal, a professor of medicine at the University of Sydney in Australia, who was not involved in the research but who wrote an editorial accompanying the study in the journal.
Still, "diet-related ill health is now widely believed to be the leading cause of chronic disease around the world," and more work needs to be done to find ways to prevent and treat such diseases, Neal wrote.
In the study, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston looked at four previous studies examining the link between eating white rice and the risk of Type 2 diabetes — two done in Asian countries (China and Japan) and two in Western countries (the U.S. and Australia). The researchers said they were looking to see whether the link between eating white rice and developing diabetes was stronger among people in Asia, who tend to eat more white rice than Westerners.
The studies, which ranged in length from four to 22 years, included a total of about 352,000 participants; none had diabetes at the start. Over the course of the studies, 13,284 people developed diabetes.
A link between increased consumption and diabetes risk was found in both Asian and Western countries, though the link was stronger among people in Asian countries. The link was also stronger in women than men, the researchers said.
The researchers said that rice has a high glycemic index, which means the body rapidly converts the carbohydrates in rice into glucose. The glycemic index of white rice is about 64, on a 100-point scale. (From comparison, ice cream has a glycemic index of 61, and orange juice rates a 50, according to data from Harvard.)
Previous work has linked diets with many high glycemic index foods with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the researchers said.
White rice has a fewer nutrients than brown rice, the researchers noted.
The findings appeared today (March 15) in the journal BMJ.
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Chinese restaurants throughout the world should be notified immediately!
Gotta tell those asians to quit eating so much rice.
Journalism in this country, like many things, is at it's lowest possible state. Did MSNBC hire a bunch mental midgets and tell them that there was a huge cash bonus for the guy who wins Best Statement of the Obvious Award? Seriously, like we don't know that white rice would contribute to diabetes? The starchiest of all starchy foods. What's next, "Unobstructed sunlight contributes to warmer weather'"? How about "Eating more than 12 Double Doubles a day will make you a fat slob"? FML.....
What are you blaming MSNBC for, exactly? It seems your issue is with the content of the study - not the actual journalism used to report it. Not sure why you take such issue with the study, either, to be perfectly frank. You say it is "obvious" - but what does that mean, exactly? Are you able to devine the degree of contribution to the problem or how much is too much without a study? Such information could go a long way in educating people to make better dietary choices on their own. Knowledge is power and all that. Or would you rather outlaw white rice altogether, because it is obviously such a menace that the populace should be saved from it, whether they like it or not? And if you do not propose banning it outright, how di you propose people make informed choices about how much is relatively safe to consume? Huge portions of the population of the planet have used white rice as a major food staple for far longer than doctors have been looking for links to diabetes. Do you expect them to give it up entirely because to you the link to diabetes is "obvious"? And, while I am thinking about it, why, exactly, do not all people who use white rice as a dietary staple have diabetes, if it is such a foregone conclusion that white rice "obviously" contributes to diabetes? The world and the human body are both far more complicated than you seem to think it is. I'm glad everything is so obvious to you that studying a given phenomenon is not worth the effort, but for the rest of us mere mortals, actual data and research is worth more than gut feelings and assumptions.
"Huge portions of the population of the planet have used white rice as a major food staple for far longer than doctors have been looking for links to diabetes" ---- And most of these people spent their lives in hunger and did not live very long. And some of them may even have had diabetes, i don't think they checked their blood sugar very often.
Not my point at all, Alex. The point I was trying to make was that eating white rice is ingrained in some cultures and it is ridiculous for some people to assume those cultures will or should completely drop those ingrained food traditions simply because a link to diabetes is obvious to him/her. This is why studies are needed - to determine actual links and degrees of contribution, to help empower people to make better dietary choices for themselves. I meant nothing about whether or not those people may have suffered from diabetes before there were tests for it.
By the way, sorry for the typos in original post. Makes me cringe to see them...
6025:
If the association between white rice and diabetes is obvious to you, then fantastic. Unfortunately, many, if not most of the population are not aware of the association between refined carbohydrates (of which white rice could be included) and diabetes. Personally, I am glad to see these articles, and wish there were more of them. The more we can educate people as to the causes of adult onset diabetes, which also relates to the obesity epidemic in this country, the better. While you pompously claim that this association is widely known, from the statements you make, it's not clear that even you really understand how it works.
Humility goes a long way these days. Try it, you might find those around you could tolerate your presence to a greater degree.
If the association between white rice and diabetes is obvious to you, then fantastic. Unfortunately, many, if not most of the population are not aware of the association between refined carbohydrates (of which white rice could be included) and diabetes
J100, Why do you assume such a large proportion of the TV watching public is too stupid and unaware to not be aware of the CORRELATION (not cause) between starches / wt gain/and diabetes.
How do all those millions of Asians eat all that rice and remain diabetes free? Only when switching to a modern western diet do they have severe issues.
What about genetically modified foods? Of course Dow /Dupont/ Monsanto insist these foods are fine. They make the herbicides the veggies are resistant to. They did it without considering how these substances effect people.
Lexiwords, I make no judgement as to the intelligence of people that are not aware of the association between carbohydrate consumption, especially refined carbs, and diabetes, heart disease and a number of ailments that afflict our population. Rather, I think it comes as a huge surprise when they learn that the supposedly healthy diet that is recommended by most health care professional these days (and I am included in this group as a physical therapist) may be the cause of their adult onset diabetes. Low fat diets necessarily contain higher amounts of carbohydrates, leading to higher blood sugars, leading to greater amounts of insulin being released and ultimately leading to insulin resistance and later to diabetes. From the tone of your comment, you already know this. Sadly, the "healthy" diet recommended to most by traditional medical people may be leading us to this epidemic of obesity and diabetes.
How can Asians eat quantities of white rice and remain diabetes free? I suspect it is a difference in genetics, and they don't eat the massive quantities in one sitting that we westerners are famous for. And you are right, a western diet for these folks produces obesity and diabetes, again suggesting the refined carbs are to blame.
Genetically modified foods? I don't know, but I am sure we will all find out as they are here and in our food supply - probably more than we can imagine.
Everything you eat increases your risk of everything. The only way to be totally safe and avoid this completely is to stop eating and die of starvation.
What gets me is that Asians have been eating at least 3 bowls of white rice per day for YEARS and they are not predisposed to diabetes. Wonder if this is a Caucasian thing.
In the end it is not about the rice itself. I've seen Asians eating the equivalent of 6 bowls of rice in one seating but he is a construction worker and he is just using that much energy to do his job. As the article stated, rice is one of the few food item that is most efficiently converted to sugar which is perfect when you want a whole lot of energy available immediately. What becomes the problem is the eating habit that originates in labor-intensive environment gets applied when you're not doing anything energy-intensive so it's the same as the fat white cop eating dozens of donuts while sitting in his car parked all day long. Anyone predisposed to diabetes would do well not to eat rice, donut or anything starchy and with high glycemic index, that's the truth.
I bet next week eating white rice will be linked to bowel cancer. Are there any foods that nutritionists can agree are good for you?
So does brown rice increase at as well? How about wild rice?
First high fat, high carb foods were bad for you now highly healthy foods are bad for you. Scientists should just stay quiet until they know what the hell they are talking about, sheesh! The study suggested an association, not a cause-and-effect link. Neither doctors nor patients should take "large-scale action" based on the findings; more work is needed to substantiate the idea that white rice increases the chances of getting Type 2 diabetes, according to Bruce Neal, a professor of medicine at the University of Sydney in Australia, who was not involved in the research but who wrote an editorial accompanying the study in the journal. See my point!? They even admit they dunno what they are saying yet they say it anyway! Why are supposed scientists being sooooo nonesensical!? *begins pulling hair*
Bottom line is our bodies are no longer using the fuel we eat they way it was intended. Our livers and lungs are busy combating the pollution and chemicals we are exposed to on a regular basis and lifestyles are not the same. Even where they are, construction farming ect. the chemicals we are exposed to are interfering with metabolism. Pesticides, fertilizers, paints, oil products, heavy metals all these toxin are taken care of in the liver where some of the ability to process fats and sugars takes place. For the most part it can do a great job, for some a long lifetime of exposures leading to a long life, for others, life is shorter and complicated by diabetes and cancer. We cannot compare lifestyles of yesteryear to today. Stating that the ancient diet of asaian people is healthy for people of today is not a correct assumption. Enjoy a wide varitety of food in moderation and enjoy your life, whatever will be will be.
Well yes the chemicals can mess up our bodies but not the food.
Morlack---you forget genetically modified vegetables and grains meant to resist herbicides and irradiated food designed to last longer on the store shelf.
Corporations like DOW, Monsanto, and Dupont really don't care about the effects on people.
When did 362,000 people make up the population of China, Japan, US, and Australia? I can't hold any merit in a study like this with such low sampling numbers. Especially when China and Japan have had rice in their diet for centuries and are some of the longest living humans on the planet. I call BS on the study.
HOWEVER, they were NOT eating the basic white rice. That is a VERY new thing (the past two hundred years or so) that is processed to be that way, and strips the rice of almost all of it's fiber, protein and other nutrients. They were eating the natural rices, such as brown rice and wild rices that are chock-full of nutrients. I definitely recall learning something in health class years ago in junior high about a type of disorder that japanese soldiers during WW2 suffered from, because they were eating only white rice and dried fish. I believe it was a severe vitamin B deficiency, one that has now been linked to the fact that they were eating cheap white rice instead of the normal, nutrient-filled rices.
I HATE white rice with a passion. To me, it is straight sugar and I WILL NOT eat it. I can't stand it, never have been able to, not even as a child. However, I do enjoy brown and wild rices from time to time. So, for me, this study makes perfect sense. White rice is sticky and disgusting. I even make rice pudding with brown rice and it works out wonderfully well.
Music Girl23
You provided more info , and advise than the article .
Let's face it, eating food is bad for you. All these studies show everything causes some dreaded disease and every calorie we put into our mouths is killing us in some way. The more we fear food, the more money Big Pharma and the diet industry can steal from us.
The study failed to mention the type of white rice, what was the body fat measurements? I spent 8 1/2 years in the Philippines, 3 years in Guam, and 3 years in Japan, all have rice 3 times a day. I've been eating white rice since 1977 avg 2 times per day, my Filipina wife lives on the stuff and neither of us are diabetic. I have no idea where they managed to find orientals that were diabetic, I never met one when I was overseas. But their diet does not consist of red meat. Lots of fish, pork, chicken, vegetables, ginger, garlic and peppers and a surplus of natural fruits. Exercise is crucial along with any healthy diet. But hey, what do I know, I never went to Harvard.
Where are all of these ten minute studies taking place?
Converting grains removes needed micro-nutrients, notably manose. Supplementing with "glyconutrients" can partially correct the deficiency.
This might be a factor in why the large Asian grocery stores in this area tend to put diabetes awareness messages on the shopping bag. There's all the American diet items available, and white rice is still a staple of the diet.
White rice is so tasteless. Go brown, wild, or red.
White rice just kind of tastes like candy - doesn't make you feel full, or if it does, it doesn't last long. Makes perfect sense it is not really all that good for you. Veggies and meat, both full of nutrients. Stick to those primarily for good health.
Wonder how many millions of our tax payers money that's gave to these Ivy League colleges by our Congress on these stupid researches. Coming up with "May" cause Diabetic. The word "May", shows it was a waste of our tax payers money on this research. I would rather hear from Harvard on a cure of diabetic, that would be worth my tax payers money.
They should do a study on corn syrup, diabetes and obesity. That seems more relevant.
“Saliva causes cancer, but only if swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.”
- George Carlin
Who the hell eats three or four servings of rice a day. Here in the Island, where rice and beans are a regular staple, people eat rice at the most maybe 4 or 5 time A WEEK. Maybe in the Orient, which would make more sense, but in western countries?
Reading msn articles will ruin your health faster then any rice ever could.
A first ! Some one who tells the truth .
If M S N doesn't make you mad . You have to laugh yourself silly , at all the lies . The spin , and watered down subjects keep you dizzy .
You wonder . How did they start thinking and saying what they say ?
We live in a world where we must think . What I read and see here on MSNBC , makes me worry about our tomorrows .
They think , if they can brain wash you . To think like them , your healthy .
Does Music Girl23 even know what brown rice is?
It sounds like Music Girl 23 , is trying to give us some good information .You question her information .
Brown Rice ...unpolished rice , with only the husk of the grain removed .
Tell us more . I wish to learn .