Brown Rice vs. White Rice

Is white rice a daily staple in your house? Swapping out one-third of it with brown rice may lower your risk of diabetes by 16 percent.


By now, I probably don’t have to tell you that white rice is about as good for you as cotton candy. Eating it is almost like mainlining sugar, because that’s exactly what it turns into when it hits your bloodstream. Because of that not-so-lovely quality, eating five servings of white rice a week can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 17 percent, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Conversely, eating brown rice or other whole grains instead of white can reduce your risk. If you have a secret love affair with the white stuff, you don’t have to quit it cold turkey. Try adding just a little bit of brown rice to it every day until you’ve become accustomed to it. Using plenty of herbs and spices can also help liven up the flavor.