DIABETES AND RICE INTAKE:THE RISK?
Diabetes, a result of high blood sugar, is one of the leading cause of death worldwide.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the one produced.
Today 415 Million people worldwide are living with diabetes.It is estimated that in 2040 more than half a billion will have diabetes.
Many people have pointed out the correlation between rice consumption and diabetes,and alot more have given up rice intake for health reasons.
Let's, see the comparison between rice and sugar and get back to the subject matter shall we?
Cooked rice is far more nutritious than sugar, and it is also much lower in carbohydrates and calories.
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An image of cooked rice in a bowl |
Raw rice is a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate food. 100 grams of raw rice contains 70 grams of carbohydrates and 340 calories.
However, cooked rice is significantly lower in carbs and calories due to the large amount of water added during the cooking process.
100 grams of cooked rice is 60 to 70 percent water, contains only 25 grams of carb and 116 calories.
Most importantly, in addition to carbs, rice also contains protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus.
Sugar on the other hand,is extracted from sugar beets or sugar cane, and it consists of 50% glucose and 50% fructose.
100 grams of sugar has a whopping 380 calories. However, Apart from Calories, Sugar Does Not Have Any Other Nutrients.
Unlike glucose, fructose cannot be directly absorbed and utilized by the body, but is transported to the liver.
The liver converts fructose into fat, and excess fat accumulates in the liver, which can easily lead to fatty liver over time.
Now, while consumption of rice is safer when compared to sugar, there's a catch;Rice has a high glycemic index and a lot of carbohydrates, according to Harvard Medical School. That means that rice can quickly raise blood glucose to very high levels.
But then it has remained a mystery why the Asians,who are known for their high intake of rice, have relatively low prevalence of diabetes.
This is because taking rice or glucose-rich foods doesn't cause diabetes!
The increase in diabetes prevalence has been on the rise simply due to a sedentary lifestyle and increased fat consumption, which ultimately lead to OBESITY. Well, obesity causes increased levels of fatty acids and inflammation, leading to insulin resistance, which in turn can lead to type 2 diabetes.
But in all, moderation should be applied in everything we do as humans, including our meal plans. It is important you eat appropriate portions that are not saturated with too much calories than your body needs.
I'm summary; rice doesn't exactly cause diabetes, but the options below among others increase the chances of one coming down with the condition.
1.High intake of saturated fats.
2.Weight/obesity.
3.Sedentary lifestyle.
4.Family history.
5.Race or ethnicity.
6.Age and gestational diabetes e.t.c.
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