Eat more rice: Japan's striking proposal to reduce obesity

A congress of researchers looking for tools to mitigate the progress of obesity in the world was surprised this weekend in Scotland by the suggestion of a Japanese scientist who proposes to eat more of rice to lose weight.

According to Clarín, Professor Tomoko Imai, of the Department of Nutrition of Doshisha Women's College in Kyoto, based her suggestion on an badysis of the situation in 136 countries of more than one million inhabitants, among which he detected that those who consumed more rice are those who have lower rates of obesity.

"A significant relationship was found, rice consumption was inversely proportional to obesity," concluded the professor during his presentation at the 26th European Congress on Obesity.

It should be noted that the study was based not only on rice consumption, but also on other factors such as the lifestyle and socio-economic situation of each country. It also took into account the level of education, the number of smokers, the product per capita, health expenditure and the percentage of the population over 65 years of age.

Despite all the variables, the relationship between weight and rice consumption has not changed, the study says.

The rate of obesity is low in countries where rice is the staple food. Therefore, a Japanese or Asian diet style, made from rice, can help prevent obesity, "Imai said.

Even, he risked a figure: if rice consumption per person only increased by 50 grams a day (a quarter cup), the world could quickly have seven million less obese adults.

At 22.5 grams per person per day, Argentina ranks 78th in the world for rice consumption.

In addition to helping you lose weight, rice is also low in fat and produces a relatively low blood glucose level after you've eaten it.

The counterpart is that studies have shown that people who eat too much rice are more likely to develop a metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

This is why researchers recommend consuming appropriate amounts.

Bangladesh (473 grams per day), Laos (443 grams) and Cambodia (438 grams), which are at the top of the world rankings, are one example.