CGM Experiment: White Rice vs Brown Rice - Which is Better for Metabolic Health?

Category: Ultra.fit | Nutrition

Author: Shifa Fatima, MSc.

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Apoorva T, MHM.

Last Reviewed: June 7, 2022


Introduction

Keeping your body fit is essential if you want a good personality or to impress someone. Fitness is not limited to having a healthy body, but it is acquainted with metabolic health and metabolic fitness, which starts from inside of our body. For any normal person or an athlete to boost his Athletic Endurance and Athletic Performance, it is essential that he knows his body. If the person has a problem with sugar, he must go for CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) installation since that will help him to keep his glucose in check and stay fit. Also, it will help him in reducing his body weight if he is obese.


Experiment Question

Which is the better choice between White and Brown Rice?


Experiment Answer

Brown Rice!

Brown Rice has a Glycemic Index of 50 which is much lower than White Rice which has a GI of 72. Brown Rice is also rich in dietary fiber, and together ensure a much lesser spike in glucose levels when consumed.


Scientific Rationale: Understanding Glycemic Index

There are several reasons based on which, a food or activity or behaviour is deemed as being good for metabolic health. One of them is to Choose Foods which have a Low Glycemic Profile (Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load). It is recommended to have foods low in calories or low glycemic indices and rich in other nutrients like Proteins, Healthy Fats and Fibre.

What is Glycemic Index?

Glycemic Index (GI) is rating system for foods containing carbohydrates, which indicates how quickly the food can make your blood sugar levels go up. The higher the food's glycemic index, the more pronounced its effect on your body.

Glycemic Index Categories

Foods are categorized as High, Moderate and Low based on their Glycemic Index:

GI Range Category Impact on Blood Sugar
70 or More High GI Rapid blood sugar spike
56 - 69 Moderate GI Moderate blood sugar increase
55 or Less Low GI Slow, gradual blood sugar increase

Detailed Comparison: White Rice vs Brown Rice

White Rice

White rice has very few essential nutrients. Processing and polishing takes away the outer husk and fibrous bran leaving behind just calories.

Nutritional Profile:

Impact on Blood Sugar:

The High GI of 72 means that carbohydrates are digested and absorbed faster into the bloodstream. This causes an increase in the rate at which blood sugar levels rise. The rapid digestion and absorption increases the body's blood sugar level leading to weight gain.

Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain that is unprocessed, unpolished and containing all parts of the grain - fibrous bran, nutritious germ, and rich endosperm.

Nutritional Profile:

Impact on Blood Sugar:

The Low GI of 50 makes it a Low GI food. Brown rice is also a rich source of dietary fibres and proteins which ensures the rate of carbohydrates being absorbed and consequent release of sugars into the bloodstream happens at a slower pace. This results in a much lesser spike in glucose levels when consumed compared to white rice.


Glycemic Index Comparison Table

Rice Type Glycemic Index GI Category Fiber Content Processing Level Blood Sugar Impact
White Rice 72 High Low Highly processed (polished, husk removed) Rapid spike
Brown Rice 50 Low High Unprocessed (whole grain) Gradual increase

Bottomline

It is observed that brown rice is richer in dietary fibres than that white rice. It also has less GI index compared to white rice. Thus, it is better to consume brown rice than white rice. Switching white rice with brown rice can be one of the biohacks towards a healthy life.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is brown rice good?

Yes, brown rice is good since it has fibrous bran, nutritious germ, and rich endosperm, which make it nutritious.

2. Should I eat brown rice for dieting?

Yes, brown rice is better to eat when dieting than white rice.

3. Will white rice increase my weight?

Yes, eating too much white rice may increase your weight since it has a high GI.

4. Why does brown rice take more time to boil?

Brown rice is harder than white rice, and that is why it takes more time to boil.

5. Can I eat rice if I am trying to lose weight?

You do not eat rice, but if you want to, then eat only 2-3 spoons of rice.

6. Can brown help me in weight loss?

Yes, brown will not help you in weight loss to some extent.

7. Does brown rice have carbs?

Yes, brown rice has carbs, but they are low.

8. Is it ok to eat brown rice regularly?

It is better to eat brown rice at some intervals since it has a trace amount of arsenic that may harm your body.

9. For how many days brown rice stays good?

Brown rice can stay good for 6 months.

10. Can brown help me with constipation?

Yes, brown rice is good for relieving you from constipation.


References


Medical Review Process

Our articles undergo extensive medical review by board-certified practitioners to confirm that all factual inferences with respect to medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, and protocols are legitimate, canonical, and adhere to current guidelines and the latest discoveries. Read more about our review process.


Disclaimer

This website's content is provided only for educational reasons and is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical advice. Due to individual differences, the reader should contact their physician to decide whether the material is applicable to their case.


About the Authors

Shifa Fatima, MSc. - Author

Dr. Apoorva T, MHM. - Medical Advisor


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