The replacement of rice varieties has been occurred in China over the past decades, with improving palatability serving as one of the main driving factors. Nevertheless, limited research exists on how this replacement has influenced the starch digestion properties of cooked rice, which play a critical role in determining the glycemic index, a key indicator of foods linked to the risk of non-communicable diseases. This study was conducted to determine the differences in starch digestive properties of cooked rice among four older and four current varieties, while also identifying the primary factors contributing to these differences. The results showed that the current varieties exhibited a 54% shorter active digestion duration and a 109% faster glucose production rate during starch digestion compared to the older varieties. These differences arose unintentionally from breeders’ efforts to meet consumer preferences for rice with a softer texture and were associated with decreased amylose content, increased amylopectin content, a lower amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and increased breakdown viscosity in the current varieties than the older ones. This study highlights the necessity for increased awareness of the potential health risks linked to the accelerated starch digestion rate resulting from the development of softer-textured varieties in China.
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