Question

It is estimated that rice is the staple food for over 3 billion people, many of whom live in poor, developing countries. Rice has many wonderful qualities, including high yield, the ability to grow in poorly drained soil and the lack of a requirement for a nitrogen fertilizer, (due to the presence of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the root nodules). Rice, especially brown rice, is a good source of carbohydrate, protein and fat. Nonetheless, diets that are almost wholly rice-based are associated with certain diseases, including beriberi and blindness.

1. Suggest a possible cause for the diseases associated with rice-only diets.

2. How might these diseases be avoided?

Answer 1

1. People having rice only diet may get the calories, carbohydrates and sugar in the diet but the necessary fibre and vitamins are lowered at the same time. This deficiency of vitamins and fibre causes various diseases. Also having too much of carbohydrate in the diet ups the risk of getting diabetic.

2. There is a reason why a person is always told to get a balanced diet rather than going for fad diets. Human body needs various types of nutrients and vitamins to make up for the wear and tear of muscle and to keep their immunity high. Hence, the diseases can be avoided by including some foods in the diet which are rich in other necessary nutrients apart from carbohydrates and sugar which is provided in ample in the form of rice to the body.