Bowled over

A recent study (1) confirms most intuitively know – white rice is a major culprit in the onset of Type 2 diabetes. With half the population of the world, largely dependent on rice, it is a huge epidemic in the making. Diabetes is likely the biggest sink in healthcare costs as it affects every organ in the body. This is, thus, a healthcare policy question. At the macro level, white rice, is causing more societal and personal strife than most drugs and alcohol, combined.

From a policy perspective, it may be interesting to ask if white rice should be banned. Policy makers are generally focused tactically – some without a significant understanding of medicine – is even opposed to Cannabis, that has known positive effects. White rice, on the other hand is not going to send the user to the hospital immediately – but it is almost certain that she will end up there later. In many cases, such deterioration is incremental – most escaping cardiomyopathy, but succumbing to the loss of limbs and other vital organs.

Healthcare policy needs to consider overall societal impacts of dietary habits. Modern humans, after the advent of agriculture, seem to have progressed backward in the design and consumption of food.

White rice increases risk of Type 2 diabetes. Published: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 20:33 in Health & Medicine. Source: BMJ-British Medical Journal