How Could Slow-Digesting Rice Fight Diabetes And Obesity?

Diabetes and obesity are among the health problems experienced by numerous people in different parts of the world. In the midst of the growing number of these cases, researchers in Tasmania created a slow-digesting rice that could aid in decreasing diabetes and obesity rates.

According to ABC, experts have discovered a way to produce more resistant starch in rice. They say the discovery can improve digestibility and provide various health benefits.

Steven Smith, professor in the University of Tasmania, pointed out that rice is normally digested quickly. Because starch makes up most of the rice's components and sugars make up starch, people eating rice get a sugar hit. As for the new form of rice, it contains a kind of starch that is digested more slowly. Therefore, this slow-digesting rice would not provide the same sugar hit. Professor Smith said it could help reduce cases of health problems linked to diet like diabetes and obesity.

Furthermore, Smith said the slow-digesting rice would benefit numerous people in Asia, where rice is an important part of the diet. He also stressed that it would be mostly beneficial to those who need to control their intake of sugar.

Smith said the introduction and production of this new form of rice in the market might take a little long because of the need for further studies. He expects numerous questions to be raised; hence the possibility of taking a longer time before the production of the slow-digesting rice.

Earlier this year, The Sunday Leader reported about a study on white rice manipulation for slower digestion and less calorie absorption. The aim of the study was similar to that of the aforementioned research. Sudhair James, an undergraduate student from the College of Chemical Sciences in Sri Lanka, discovered a way to make white rice healthier. The chemistry of the starch is manipulated through adding coconut oil into the boiling water before cooking the well-washed rice. The cooked rice is then placed in the fridge overnight to give a dense coating that will lead to less calorie intake and slow digestion. Eating the manipulated rice would reduce the chance of spiking blood sugar levels, making it beneficial to people suffering from diabetes.