Health gem

If you do one thing this week . . . switch from white to brown rice

Could the colour of your rice affect your health? And might it be a good idea to quietly switch from white to brown?

New research suggests that a high intake of white rice could be linked with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The study analysed data on almost 40,000 men and in excess of 150,000 women in the US and found that eating white rice more than five times per week (compared with less than once per month) was associated with a greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Eating brown rice more than twice per week (again compared with less than once per month) was associated with a reduced risk of developing the condition.

The authors of the study, in the Archives of Internal Medicine, said the findings support the recommendation that most carbohydrate intake should come from whole grains rather than refined grains to help prevent type 2 diabetes.