Is there any association between rice consumption and some of the cardiovascular diseases risk factors? A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
White rice is considered as a staple food in most population in the world, and there may be an association between rice intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. The present article was reviewed the correlation between rice intake and CVD and some of its risk factors.


METHODS
We searched in PubMed, Google scholar, and SCOPUS to February 2015 by using several keywords such as low and high density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, CVD or risks, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, lipid profile, and refined grains or rice and white rice. Finally, 14 studies were included in our systematic review.


RESULTS
There was found a positive association between white rice intake and risk factors of CVD including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it seems that there is no any significant correlation between white rice consumption and incidence of CVD and its mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Finding from available data suggested the important roles of higher white rice consumption on CVD risk factors.
Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Vajihe
V
Izadi
Food Security Research Center AND Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Leila
L
Azadbakht
Cardiovascular Disease; Metabolic Syndrome; Refined Grains; Type 2 Diabetes; White Rice