‘Joha rice’ best nutraceutical in diabetes management
Joha rice is grown in the northeastern region of India. This fragrant rice is more effective in lowering blood glucose and preventing the onset of diabetes. For this reason Joha rice is said to be one of the best and effective nutraceutical in diabetes management.
About joha rice
- It is a short grain winter rice.
- Joha rice is known for its aroma and remarkable taste.
- It is a traditional claim that joha rice reduces the risk of diabetes and heart diseases in consumers. However, this claim needed to be scientifically verified.
Scientists at the Institute for Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have explored the nutraceutical properties of ‘Joha rice’. This discovery of scientists verifies the traditional claim about Joha rice.
In his research with Rajalakshmi Devi and Paramita Chowdhary, he explored the nutraceutical properties of Fragrant Joha rice. Through in vitro laboratory analysis they detected two unsaturated fatty acids namely linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acid. This essential fatty acid may help maintain a variety of physiological conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids protect humans from many metabolic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.
The researchers also found that aromatic joha rice has a more balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 than the widely consumed non-aromatic variety. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) is approximately one to that required by humans to maintain an appropriate diet.
Researchers have used Joha rice to make a patented product ‘rice bran oil’, which is effective in diabetes management. Apart from this Joha rice is also rich in many antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolic. Reportedly some of the bioactive compounds in Joha include oryzanol, ferulic acid, tocotrienol, caffeic acid, catechuic acid, gallic acid, tricene, etc.
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