Rice revolution
THE last National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2011 showed that one in seven adults above the age of 18 are diabetic and many are not even aware of being diabetic.
Despite the advances touted by drug companies at the launch of every new drug to treat diabetes, only two- thirds of diabetics under medical care achieve good control.
It is possible to achieve good control by consuming a healthy diet. For those whose staple diet is rice, one strategy is to reduce harmful carbohydrate from rice when cooking it.
Rice contains starches that exist in a combination of amylose and amylopectin. The ratio of these two components determines if a particular carbohydrate is classified as rapidly digestible starch ( RDS) or slowly digestible starch ( SDS).
Having a ratio of higher amounts of amylopectin molecules to amylose molecules classifies rice as RDS, which means it has a high glycaemic index.
Foods with high glycaemic index cause blood glucose to rise quickly, stay high longer and consequently spike blood sugar levels.
In comparison, SDS breaks down slower, making it a healthier choice as it does not raise blood glucose levels quickly or keep it high for long.
The Grayns RevoCook technology used to cook rice in the Grayns rice cooker does not let rice boil. Boiling rice causes the cell wall of the rice grain to break down and allow amylose molecules to leave the rice grain.
The gelatinisation temperature is held long enough to ensure only the RDS molecules are removed from the rice grain and dissolved in water. The end result is that rice cooked in the Grayns Rice Cooker has a higher amylose to amylopectin ratio, which makes it an SDS.
The end product is carbohydrates that provide needed energy while being slowly digested and released into the bloodstream without spiking blood glucose levels.
Dr Amir Farid Isahak, senior medical specialist, will be conducting a short talk on the above subject matter at Kuala Lumpur Gold & Country Club Karaoke room on April 16 from 9.30am to noon.
Register by e- mailing tonycareen@ gmail. com or WhatsApp/ SMS at 019- 232 0888 Careen. Seats are limited to only 50 people on a first- come- first- serve basis.
For more information, WhatsApp/ SMS 019- 232 0888 or 012- 219 7168.