Masuran, best rice variety for diabetics - ITI Head

Dinesh De Alwis

The traditional local rice variety Masuran has been identified as the healthiest rice for diabetic patients in Sri Lanka, Industrial Technical Institute (ITI) Herbal Technology Head Dr. Sirimal Premakumara told a media briefing at the Government Information Department. “We have found that rice brand (outer cover of rice) is rich with the enzyme which converts sugar into glucose. A recent study showed a significant reduction in the sugar level of those who consumed the Masuran rice variety,” he said.

The study was done by using 25 traditional rice varieties which included two white rice varieties.

Out of that four brown rice varieties were identified as diabetes-control rice.

Goda Heenati, Sudu Heenati and Dikvwee have been considered as other healthiest rice for diabetic patients according to the study Bio-technology unit, research officer, Kanchana Abeysekara told the Daily News. These paddy varieties are producing low yield rice but consist of valuable medical compounds, she said.

We must encourage farmers to grow these varieties.

At the moment we are growing imported and crossed varieties which are not healthy.

Earlier in 2009,ITI found that brown rice helped to reduce the amount of sugar level than white rice.

Over two million Sri Lankans (10 percent of the population) currently suffer from diabetes. In 2007, 246 million people worldwide were affected by diabetes and every 10 seconds a person dies due to diabetes-related causes.

National Research Council, Chairman, Prof. Eric Karunanayake, ITI, Senior Research Officer, Dr Sadhika Samarasekara, Nano Technology expert, Prof. C.A.N Fernando and Ministry of Technology and Research, Media Secretary, Harsha Abeykoon also addressed the media.