Extended News

ARLINGTON, VA – Newly published research highlights the role rice can play in supporting healthier, more affordable, sustainable eating patterns.  In a study in Public Health Nutrition, researchers found that dietary patterns featuring higher consumption of rice and other staple foods were associated with improved nutritional quality, environmental impacts, and reduced overall food costs for consumers. 

The study, titled “Rice and Beans: The Nutritious, Sustainable and Affordable Staple of the Brazilian Diet,” analyzed dietary data from more than 46,000 individuals in Brazil.  Researchers found that diets with higher consumption of rice and beans were associated with improved overall dietary quality.  These diets contained lower levels of added sugars, total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat while providing higher amounts of dietary fiber, potassium, and iron.  Participants with the highest consumption of rice and beans experienced significantly fewer nutrient inadequacies than those with the lowest consumption. 

The study also found that dietary patterns with higher consumption of rice and beans were associated with meaningful environmental benefits and linked to lower carbon emissions and reduced water use.  These diets were also shown to be significantly more affordable. Researchers reported that diets with the highest consumption of rice and beans cost 38 percent less than diets with the lowest consumption levels.  These findings highlight the role staple foods such as rice can play in both supporting broader sustainability goals and helping consumers meet nutrition goals while remaining affordable and accessible for consumers. 

“Studies such as this one reinforce that rice remains one of the most affordable, versatile, and nutritious food ingredients available especially for consumers facing food budgeting pressures,” said USA Rice Nutrition Subcommittee Chair and owner of Inland Cape Rice Sam Schneider. “This study adds to decades of peer reviewed research that demonstrates rice serves at the foundation for balanced nutritious meals while supporting personal and environmental health.”

Source : usarice