In many Nigerian households, rice is a staple food. In fact, it is reasonable to assume that Nigerians consume it on a daily basis. However, most of us are unaware that, while rice provides us with an excellent source of energy in the form of carbohydrates, consuming too much of it might have negative consequences. According to a post on the Healthline website, here are five negative consequences of eating too much rice.
1. It doesn’t give room for a well-balanced diet.
Consuming too much rice, or any other food, may cause you to consume insufficient amounts of the other nutrients required for good health. If you eat too much rice for an extended period of time, vitamin A, zinc, and iron deficiencies will develop in the body over time.
2. Arsenic toxicity
Rice absorbs arsenic at a higher rate than other food crops. It is, in fact, the single most important food source of inorganic arsenic, the more dangerous type. While dietary arsenic is typically present in low quantities and does not cause immediate toxicity symptoms, inorganic arsenic ingestion over time can cause a variety of nerve issues in children and teenagers. Some of which include impaired concentration, learning, and memory. Others are diminished intelligence and social incompetence.
3. It has an impact on the body’s glucose metabolism.
Eating too much rice might alter glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in your body because of its low calorie and high carbohydrate content. Insulin resistance, weight gain, and diabetes can all result from this.
4. Diabetes
Rice includes carbs, which are essentially the same as sugar. As a result, consuming significant amounts of rice on a regular basis may cause dizziness. A group of scientists confirmed that eating white rice on a regular basis increases the risk of getting type 2 diabetes and obesity.
5. Rice inhibits the absorption of a variety of vitamins and minerals.
When rice is consumed in large quantities, it reduces the absorption of essential elements like zinc. A reliance on rice as a primary food source will also cause vitamin A deficiency.