Brown rice has anti-obesity effects in comparison with white rice

Objectives:
A few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed the effect of brown rice consumption on metabolic parameters (such as, weight, height, waist circumference, fasting glucose, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure) compared to white rice, with inconsistent findings. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Is the effect of brown rice on adiposity indices (such as, weight, height and waist circumference), lipid profile (such as, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and glycemic markers (such as, fasting blood glucose) higher compared to white rice in adult subjects?

Study design:
This review article included 13 RCTs.
In accordance with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, the certainly of the included evidence was low and very low.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found brown rice significantly reduced:
weight by -1.63 kg [95% CI = -2.15 to -1.11, I2 = 97%, n = 6];
body mass index (BMI) by -0.58 kg/m² [95% CI = -0.78 to -0.37, I2 = 96%, n = 6] and;
waist circumference by -2.56 cm [95% CI = -4.86 to -0.26, I2 = 88%, n = 5] compared with white rice.

The investigators found, moreover, brown rice had no significant effect on lipid profile and glycemic markers.

The investigators found pre-germinated brown rice significantly declined:
weight by -1.75 kg [95% CI = -2.70 to -0.81, I2 = 99%, n = 4];
total cholesterol by -24.22 mg/dL [95% CI = -33.03 to -15.41, I2 = 78%, n = 5];
triglyceride (TG) by -43.28 mg/dL [95% CI = -74.05 to -12.50, I2 = 90%, n = 5];
low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) by -20.05 mg/dL [95% CI = -29.57 to -10.52, I2 = 71%, n = 5] and;
fasting blood glucose (FBG) by -15.83 mg/dL [95% CI = -25.20 to -6.46, I2 = 91%, n = 5] compared to white rice.

The investigators concluded brown rice has anti-obesity effects in comparison with white rice. However, it has no beneficial effects on lipid profile and glycemic markers. Furthermore, pre-germinated brown rice has better functional effects on promoting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose compared to brown rice.

Original title:
The effect of brown rice compared to white rice on adiposity indices, lipid profile, and glycemic markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by Golzarand M, Toolabi K, […], Mirmiran P.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33905269

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on rice consumption and obesity/overweight right here.