PhilRice identifies rice varieties that help reduce blood sugar
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has identified rice varieties that help reduce blood sugar.
Food scientist Marissa Romero collaborated with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to identify the rice variety NSIC Rc. 182 or National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) Rice 182. It has a low glycemic index (GI), a number that determines how quickly food raises one's blood sugar levels.
Romero's team also found that NSIC Rc. 182 has a similar GI with NSIC Rc. 472, as well as PSB (Philippine Seed Board) Rc. 10 and Rc. 514, which are already popular among farmers for their "resilience and high yield."
According to Romero, diabetic patients have healthier alternatives without sacrificing flavor.
In identifying the rice varieties, PhilRice used advanced in-vitro laboratory testing to simulate digestion and didn't opt for human subjects.
In an interview on One News' The Big Story, Romero said NSIC Rc. 182 is, in fact, already a released variety.
"Na-discover lang recently, particularly ng ating collaborator (IRRI). Sila ang naka-discover na ang NSIC Rc. 182 pala is already a released variety," she said. "We used that as a reference para mag-screen pa ng ibang varieties. Itong mga ito, hindi as popular as sa mga tinatanim ng farmers natin. But upon discovery, ito pala ay healthier."
NSIC Rc. 182's carbohydrates don't quickly convert into sugar and therefore lessen the risk of gaining weight, she said.
"Pero of course, dapat ang consumption natin is in moderation kasi kung marami pa rin, tataba pa rin tayo," she added.
Romero noted that they did the research because of rising cases of diabetes, which is among the leading causes of death in the country.
"Ito (NSIC Rc. 182), mas mabagal 'yung digestion niya... hindi tayo magkakaroon ng blood sugar spike," she said.
Romero said they held a meeting with the Department of Agriculture to plant more NSIC Rc. 182 grains to help popularize it in the Philippine market.
The rice is not genetically modified but was rather discovered, Romero clarified. It's already in the market though not that popular.
"Sa ngayon kasi, 'di pa siya ganoon ka-widely available," she said. "But since similar naman ang kaniyang production, the price is relatively similar to the market value of rice. 'Di natin pwedeng sabihing mas mura, pero similar."
As of December 2024, local rice prices in Metro Manila are between P42 and P52 per kilo, while imported supplies range from P42 to P56 per kilo.
Romero urged Filipinos to opt for NSIC Rc. 182 once it becomes more available. She also noted that they're conducting more research using other rice varieties.
"We, as researchers, explore different methods," Romero said, "para ma-reach natin ang ating research objectives, especially sa healthier aspects."
