11.27.2007

watch the white rice

According to researchers, starchy foods such as white rice and bread raise the likelihood of diabetes for Black and Chinese women, but adding whole grain foods may reverse the risk: Starches raise diabetes risk in blacks and Chinese.

Two studies—the first to look at this aspect of diabetes risk in non-white women—both show that eating unrefined carbohydrates can boost rates of diabetes. However, research also shows that women who ate the most fiber had the lowest risk of diabetes.

These findings support the theory of glycemic index, which holds that certain types of carbohydrates such as sugars and refined grains can cause a spike in blood sugar that damages the body's ability to use insulin and process sugar. Hear that, ladies? I know you love the white rice. But don't love it too much. Damn you, diabetes.

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