High Intake of White Rice Associated with Excess Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

White rice — which is almost entirely starch — is the main type of rice eaten worldwide and has a higher glycemic index than other grains. High consumption of foods with high glycemic indexes is associated with excess risk for type 2 diabetes. In this meta-analysis of seven prospective cohort studies, investigators assessed the association between white rice intake and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Of 352,000 participants, 13,000 developed type 2 diabetes (follow-up range, 4–22 years). Among Asian populations, there was a significant 55% increased risk for type 2 diabetes in the highest category of white rice intake compared with the lowest category. In contrast, among Western populations, a 12% increase in risk was not statistically si…