Potential for Preventing Diabetes and Dementia by Consuming Unpolished Rice Blended with Black Unpolished Rice and Super-Hard Rice

Abstract

Type-2 diabetes, which may prompt Alzheimer's disease, can be regulated by diet. We investigated the palatability and efficacy of consuming two diets rich in β-glucan or resistant starch by blending ordinary polished rice and polished waxy barley (5:5) or by blending ordinary unpolished rice, unpolished pigmented rice and polished super-hard rice (2:4:4), then subjecting the blends to high-pressure treatment before cooking. After subjects consumed these diets for 12 weeks, consumers of the former rice blend had significantly less body fat, lower blood glucose levels. The latter blend showed higher antioxidant capacity and inhibition against β-secretase than control, and the subjects, consuming the latter blend, showed not only lower blood glucose levels, but also a higher ratio of amyloid β 42/40 peptide than the subjects consuming the traditional rice diet. Long-term consumption of the latter blended rice diets might inhibit rises in postprandial blood glucose levels and impede amyloid β production.