Is Cold Rice Better than Hot Rice?
Perhaps few people know that eating cold rice can be better than hot rice. With white rice, when it is still hot, the starch content in it remains at a normal level. During digestion, this starch will be converted into glucose, raising blood sugar levels. This is not harmful to healthy people but not good for people with insulin resistance.
However, when white rice is cooled, the starch structure changes to resistant starch, which is beneficial for health. The digestion process of resistant starch occurs slower in the stomach and small intestine, and when it reaches the large intestine, it nourishes beneficial bacteria.
Resistant starch can also stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids by beneficial bacteria, helping to reduce symptoms of many diseases such as ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, diarrhea, and support weight loss.
A recent study in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that not only does reheating cold rice increase the amount of resistant starch, but it also helps reduce postprandial blood glucose response. Furthermore, cold rice also prolongs the feeling of fullness, helping to control hunger.
What should you pay attention to when eating cold rice?
Of course, cold rice has its benefits, but there are some things you need to be aware of. When rice is placed in the refrigerator, the cold air from the environment can make the rice lose its taste and moisture. As a result, the rice will become dry and not as tasty as before, even when reheated. In addition, the flavor cannot be restored.
Moreover, leftover rice can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. B.cereus bacteria in cold rice can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. To avoid this, it is necessary to store cold rice properly and at the appropriate temperature. If the rice has a strange smell or changes color, do not eat it under any circumstances.
Compared to hot rice, cold rice has the ability to increase blood sugar levels at a slower rate, but it still falls into the category of high glycemic index foods. A study has shown that the glycemic index of hot rice is 91, while cold rice is 88, which is still high. However, the difference in glycemic index between hot and cold rice is not significant. Therefore, you can eat hot or cold rice without a notable change in glycemic index.
Resistant starch in cold rice stimulates the production of short-chain fatty acids, which can reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, and diarrhea. It also helps control hunger by prolonging the feeling of fullness and reduces postprandial blood glucose response.
While cold rice has its advantages, it can lose its taste and moisture when stored in the refrigerator. Leftover rice can also be a breeding ground for bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as B.cereus. It is important to store cold rice properly and at the right temperature. Do not eat rice if it has an odd smell or has changed color.
Yes, cold rice does increase blood sugar levels at a slower rate compared to hot rice. However, both fall into the category of high glycemic index foods. The glycemic index of hot rice is 91, while cold rice is slightly lower at 88, but the difference is not significant.
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