The in vivo glycaemic response of different rice varieties in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Diabetes poses a heavy economic burden in Sri Lanka. High glycaemic index (GI) diets are known to promote a higher risk of diabetes. This study was aimed to determine the GI values of nine improved and three traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka including Bg406, H.H.Z.36, Ld368, Bw367, Bg94-1, At405, At362, Bg300, Bg352, Sudu heenati, Madathawalu, and Pachchaperumal. Furthermore, comparisons of GI values between improved and traditional varieties, as well as the effect of subject gender and colour of pericarp on GI were described. Methods: Fourteen healthy subjects consisting of seven males and seven females were fed with a reference food and cooked rice varieties containing 50 g available carbohydrate; GI were calculated. Results: The GI of 12 rice varieties varied from 40-69. All traditional varieties including Sudu heenati, Madathawalu and Pachchaperumal were in the low GI category presenting GI values of 51, 54, and 41, respectively. Rice with red pericarp obtained significantly lower GI compared to those with white pericarp. Yet, GI values obtained in males were significantly higher than females. Conclusion: The result of this study suggested that all traditional varieties and improved rice H.H.Z 36, Ld368, and Bg406 could have beneficial effects on lowering the glycaemic response in healthy subjects. Glycaemic index can be predicted from the colour of the rice grain. Gender should be considered in the determination of GI.