Ethnic Variability in Glycemic and Hunger Satiety Response to Rice in Overweight Adults

Evidence has./ indicated increased risk of type 2 diabetes with white rice consumption in Asian population. It is shown that glycemic response to carbohydrate-containing food may differ in people of different ethnicities. The large increment in glucose concentration induced by high glycemic index food often exaggerates the body's anabolic responses, which facilitates the overproduction of insulin and eventually results in pancreatic beta-cell failure, causing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Given that rice is the staple food of Asians and Emiratis, and extent to which rice influences postprandial glycemia could have potential relevance in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

In this study, the investigators intend to compare the glycemic and hunger satiety response to rice among overweight Emiratis, Asians, and Caucasian. The primary objective of the study is to compare the glycemic (glucose) and hunger satiety (hormone ghrelin and peptide YY) response to glucose and rice among overweight Emiratis, Asians, and Caucasians.

An increased incidence of type 2 diabetes is a characteristic feature of populations that have undergone nutritional transition. First seen in the developed Western world, the same pattern is now being observed in Middle East and Asian countries, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of them. Although overconsumption of energy and accumulation of excess body fat is a common cause of type 2 diabetes, diet almost certainly has other unknown effects, and specific foods with particular adverse effects may have a direct role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Recent meta-analysis and systematic reviews have indicated increased risk of type 2 diabetes with white rice consumption in Asian population. It is shown that glycemic response to carbohydrate-containing food may differ in people of different ethnicities. Previous studies have shown that identical carbohydrate loads elicit 2-3 times larger postprandial peaks in Asians compared to Caucasians. Although there are comparative studies reported in this region. The large increment in glucose concentration induced by high glycemic index food often exaggerates the body's anabolic responses, which facilitates the overproduction of insulin and eventually results in pancreatic beta-cell failure, causing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Given that rice is the staple food of Asians and Emiratis, and extent to which rice influences postprandial glycemia could have potential relevance in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

In this study, the investigators intend to compare the glycemic and hunger satiety response to rice among overweight Emiratis, Indian, and Caucasian.