ID :
93773
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 15:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/93773
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean scientists develop rice that could help treat atopic skin, diabetes
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- A group of South Korean scientists has developed a new type of rice that could help treat atopic dermatitis and diabetes afflicting countless people around the world, the group said Tuesday.
The team, lead by Ryu So-noh, an agriculture science professor at the Korea
National Open University, said the newly developed rice has high concentrations
of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) that is gaining recognition as a beneficial food
supplement.
Laboratory and clinical tests showed that the three sub-varieties of rice they
have developed have roughly 10 times the level of C3G as black rice, and are
heavier, resulting in larger crop volume.
The grain harvested also had 1.2 times the content level of anthocyanin, commonly
found in blueberries and considered a "super food" by many dieticians.
Ryu said the rice has shown to be effective in reducing atopic skin conditions
and has good anti-diabetes qualities.
"Experiments showed people who ate the rice experienced noticeable skin
irritation relief similar to those that have been given dexamethasone treatment,"
he said.
He added the new rice helped people maintain lower blood sugar levels compared to
people who consumed regular white rice and black rice. Tests conducted for six
weeks showed that if more of the new rice was eaten, the beneficial effect on
blood sugar levels became more pronounced.
Metformin, the most popular oral anti-diabetic drug, yields a 150 percent rise in
patients' insulin production, while the new rice pushed up insulin levels by 133
percent.
The research begun in 2006 in cooperation with the state-run Rural Development
Administration is expected to raise demand for "functional" healthy rice that
could lead to increased rice consumption and allow local farmers to earn more
profits in the face of cheap imports.
A review on the economic impact of the new rice showed farm household income
reaching 14.9 billion won (US$12.92 million) if the rice is planted on 300
hectares of land.
The university said that seven patent rights protections have been requested and
received in South Korea, Japan and the United States. All three sub-varieties of
the new rice have been registered with the Korea Seed and Variety Service.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The team, lead by Ryu So-noh, an agriculture science professor at the Korea
National Open University, said the newly developed rice has high concentrations
of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) that is gaining recognition as a beneficial food
supplement.
Laboratory and clinical tests showed that the three sub-varieties of rice they
have developed have roughly 10 times the level of C3G as black rice, and are
heavier, resulting in larger crop volume.
The grain harvested also had 1.2 times the content level of anthocyanin, commonly
found in blueberries and considered a "super food" by many dieticians.
Ryu said the rice has shown to be effective in reducing atopic skin conditions
and has good anti-diabetes qualities.
"Experiments showed people who ate the rice experienced noticeable skin
irritation relief similar to those that have been given dexamethasone treatment,"
he said.
He added the new rice helped people maintain lower blood sugar levels compared to
people who consumed regular white rice and black rice. Tests conducted for six
weeks showed that if more of the new rice was eaten, the beneficial effect on
blood sugar levels became more pronounced.
Metformin, the most popular oral anti-diabetic drug, yields a 150 percent rise in
patients' insulin production, while the new rice pushed up insulin levels by 133
percent.
The research begun in 2006 in cooperation with the state-run Rural Development
Administration is expected to raise demand for "functional" healthy rice that
could lead to increased rice consumption and allow local farmers to earn more
profits in the face of cheap imports.
A review on the economic impact of the new rice showed farm household income
reaching 14.9 billion won (US$12.92 million) if the rice is planted on 300
hectares of land.
The university said that seven patent rights protections have been requested and
received in South Korea, Japan and the United States. All three sub-varieties of
the new rice have been registered with the Korea Seed and Variety Service.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
