More Filipino consumers are becoming aware of the health benefits of low-glycemic index (GI) rice but the majority still consume white rice, a study bared.

The study conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) on consumers’ awareness, behavior, and knowledge of rice and rice-based products showed that the majority of respondents from all 17 regions in the country had a high level of awareness on GI rice.

GI is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels.

According to Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos, the supervising science research specialist of DA-PhilRice’s Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division (RCFSD), who is also one of the researchers, foods with low GI, such as brown rice, are recommended for controlling blood sugar levels because these release glucose in the body slowly after intake.

“White or polished rice has high GI. Consumption of this is associated with increased risk of diabetes,” she said.

However, despite the high level of awareness, more than 75 percent of the respondents still consume polished or white rice at least twice a day.

Ramos noted that although all respondents signified interest in rice with naturally low-GI, only half of them are willing to consume brown rice.

“Identifying factors that influence food behavior among consumers is also key in improving diet to lower the risk of diabetes mellitus, which is one of the top five non-communicable diseases (NCDs) causing deaths among Filipinos,” Ramos explained.

The study showed that primary considerations of consumers when buying food are taste, satiety, and nutritional value.

Meanwhile, the research team will further study the reasons why despite the respondents' awareness and willingness to buy low-GI rice, the majority of the them are still consuming white rice.

They also recommended that a campaign on consumption of whole grains, particularly brown rice, should be intensified.

As an offshoot of this research, Rosaly V. Manaois, senior science research specialist of RCFSD and one of the researchers, said that they are now doing a more in-depth market study focused on millennials.

The study, which was conducted by Ramos, Manaois, and Alcel B. Atanacio also of RCFSD, bagged the Best Scientific Poster award under the Social Sciences category during the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in July this year.