'Indian rice Swarna among most healthy varieties globally'

India's most widely grown rice variety Swarna could help to "keep diabetes at bay" by maintain a healthy diet, says a leading rice research organisation.

"Rice varieties such as India's most widely grown rice variety Swarna have a low glycemic index (GI) and varieties such as Doongara from Australia and Basmati have medium GI," Melissa Fitzgerald of Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)said in a statement.

The low glycemic index (GI) rice could help to "keep diabetes at bay" by slow release of sugar in the blood, according to the research study conducted by IRRI and Australia's CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).

The researchers have identified a gene that would determine GI of rice.

Low-GI foods are those measured 55 and less, medium-GI foods are those measured between 56 and 69, while high-GI foods measure 70 and above.

"The finding of the research which analysed 235 types of rice around the world is good news because it not only means rice can be part of a healthy diet for the average consumer, but it also means people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes can select the right rice to help maintain a healthy low GI diet," the IRRI said.

The IRRI termed it as an important achievement as the gene would help rice breeders to develop varieties with different GI levels to meet the demand of diabetic and non-diabetic consumers.

Food with high GI gets easily digested and absorbed by the body, but often results in fluctuations in blood sugar levels, that can increase the chances of getting diabetes.

In contrast, food with low GI has slow digestion and absorption rates in the body, causing a gradual and sustained release of sugar into the blood and thus reducing the chances of developing diabetes, the release said.

"Low-GI diets can reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, and are also useful for helping diabetics better manage their condition," CSIRO Food Futures Flagship Researcher Tony Bird said.

This helps diabetics and people at risk of diabetes who are trying to control their condition through diet, as it means they can select the right rice to help maintain a healthy, low-GI diet, he added.

The researchers analysed 235 varieties of rice from around the world, found that the GI of rice ranges from a low of 48 to a high of 92, with an average of 64.

A recent Harvard study claimed that people eating a large bowl (158gm) of white rice daily are 11% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.