Development of Low Glycemic Index Rice and Its Effectiveness in the Regulation of Postprandial Glucose Response in Type 2 Diabetes

Background/Objective: To determine the glycemic index (GI) of RNR15048 rice variety and study its effectiveness in reducing postprandial blood glucose levels and the regulation of lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. Subjects/Methods: The GI of RNR15048 rice was measured in 54 healthy subjects in the age group of 30-50 years. The dietary intervention study was conducted in 80 subjects with diabetes in the age group of 40-60 years where 40 test subjects replaced their regular rice with RNR 15048 rice variety for 3 months. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, insulin were determined before and after the study. Results: The glycemic index (GI) of RNR 15048 rice variety was observed to be low with GI of 51.72 ± 3.39. The dietary intervention study in type 2 diabetic subjects revealed significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (158.4 ± 9.30 vs 140.2 ± 8.87 mg/dL) and HbA1c levels (7.1 ± 0.34 vs 6.1 ± 0.33 %) with an increase in HDL levels (33.7 ± 1.29 vs 37.1 ± 1.83 mg/dL) while parameters such as body weight, blood pressure and insulin levels did not show any significant changes. Conclusion: Low GI rice is effective in the reduction of postprandial glucose response in type 2 diabetes and increase in plasma HDL levels and therefore useful in the management of type 2 diabetes and in the long term management of cardiovascular diseases.