GREGORY CHANDLER--HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDY ON WHITE RICE AND DIABETES

A Harvard University study concludes that white rice increases one's likelihood to develop type 2 diabetes. 

Researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health reviewed a variety of studies, all pointing to evidence that individuals who have a high intake of white rice have a substantially higher risk of type 2 diabetes.  This is especially true in East Asian cultures, where the average individual eats as many as four servings of white rice daily. 

A question is why is white rice bad?  Study authors say that white rice has a high glycemic index (GI), meaning that white rice is digested and absorbed rapidly, resulting in fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Foods with a lower GI, such as brown rice, are digested more slowly and produce more gradual rises in blood sugar.  There is also substantial evidence that the risk of diseases such as diabetes type 2 and coronary heart disease are linked to an overall high glycemic level in one's diet.

Individuals should consume foods that have a low glycemic index.  It is advised that white rice should be replaced with brown rice.  Likewise, white bread should be replaced with whole wheat brown bread. 

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law