Rice and noodle consumption is associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia in an Asian population.
High consumption of refined grains, particularly white rice, has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the association between rice and noodle consumption and markers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation and dyslipidaemia in an Asian population. We carried out a population-based cross-sectional study in 2728 Singaporean Chinese men and women aged between 24 and 92 years. Rice and noodle intake was assessed using a validated FFQ and studied in relation to glycaemic (fasting glucose, glycated Hb, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA index for β-cell function (HOMA-β)), inflammatory (plasma adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and lipid (fasting TAG and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)) markers. We used multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for total energy intake and sociodemographic, anthropometric (BMI and waist:hip ratio) and lifestyle factors. Higher rice consumption was found to be associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (0·81 % higher values per portion increment; 95 % CI 0·09, 1·54) and HOMA-IR (4·62 %; 95 % CI 1·29, 8·07). Higher noodle consumption was also found to be significantly associated with higher fasting glucose concentrations (1·67 %; 95 % CI 0·44, 2·92), HOMA-IR (6·17 %; 95 % CI 0·49, 12·16) and fasting TAG concentrations (9·17 %; 95 % CI 3·44, 15·22). No significant association was observed between rice and noodle consumption and adiponectin, CRP and HDL-C concentrations or HOMA-β in the fully adjusted model. These results suggest that high consumption of rice and noodles may contribute to hyperglycaemia through greater insulin resistance and that this relationship is independent of adiposity and systemic inflammation.
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 10, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
Yasmin L M
YL
Zuñiga
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Block MD3, #03-17, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Salome A
SA
Rebello
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Block MD3, #03-17, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Puay Leng
PL
Oi
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Block MD3, #03-17, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Huili
H
Zheng
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Block MD3, #03-17, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Jeannette
J
Lee
Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 10, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
E Shyong
ES
Tai
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Block MD3, #03-17, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
Rob M
RM
Van Dam
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012275:Oryza / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014908:Triticum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein