A new Japanese study has found that consuming more rice could help prevent obesity. Researchers have found that following an Asian-style diet could be extremely beneficial for our health.
Even though there are hundreds of low-carbohydrate diets that limit the intake of rice for weight loss purposes, the team notes that researchers still don't understand the effect rice has on obesity. "The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower in the countries with higher rice supply even after controlling for lifestyle and socioeconomic indicators,"authors of the study told a news portal.
The study was conducted by a team from the Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in Kyoto.For the study, the team examined calories intake and rice consumption in almost 136 countries.They also collected data on body mass index (BMI). Through their investigation, the team found that people who followed a Japanese diet based on rice had a low chance of becoming obese compared to those people who don't consume a lot of it. “The observed associations suggest that the obesity rate is low in countries that eat rice as a staple food,” lead author of the study Professor Tomoko Imai, told a news portal.
Researchers say adding an extra 50 grams of rice a day could significantly reduce the prevalence of obesity across the globe by one per cent. When asked why rice may help to tackle obesity issues, Prof Imai speculated it may be down to the fact that rice is low in fat. “It’s possible that the fibre, nutrients and plant compounds found in whole grains may increase feelings of fullness and prevent overeating," Prof Imai told a news portal. Adding, "Given the rising levels of obesity worldwide, eating more rice should be recommended to protect against obesity even in western countries." The study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.
Obesity is becoming a growing issue around the world and can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Multiples studies over the years have found there are various modern lifestyle factors that are contributing to a large amount of the world's population to become obese.
One study had found that sitting too long is one of the biggest issues that is giving rise to this problem. "The better metaphor might be obesity is the new smoking. That's a little closer from a cause-and-effect standpoint, in terms of the number of people dying from these preventable causes each year," Researcher Mark Benden from Texas A&M School of Public Health, who studies the use of sit-stand desks to promote physical activity, told a news portal.
Spending too much time in front of the computer or TV is causing many to be less active. "People used to spend hours each day engaging in light physical activity, and it's what we've really lost in the modern world," Benden told a news portal. Adding, "That's having massive effects on our waistlines and our glucose cycles."
A diet that includes nourishing food and regular exercise are the only ways to tackle obesity.
