Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study

The high glycemic index (GI) of polished white rice (WR) presents challenges for blood glucose control in diabetes. This study investigated the in vitro digestibility of a whole grain blend (WGB, composed of black, red, and brown rice) and its effects on the gut microbiota in elderly diabetic indivi...

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Main Authors: Qian Du, Ruisheng Fu, Ming Zhao, Meihong Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2557
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author Qian Du
Ruisheng Fu
Ming Zhao
Meihong Xu
author_facet Qian Du
Ruisheng Fu
Ming Zhao
Meihong Xu
author_sort Qian Du
collection DOAJ
description The high glycemic index (GI) of polished white rice (WR) presents challenges for blood glucose control in diabetes. This study investigated the in vitro digestibility of a whole grain blend (WGB, composed of black, red, and brown rice) and its effects on the gut microbiota in elderly diabetic individuals. WGB exhibited lower starch digestibility (69.76 ± 5.71% vs. 73.02 ± 6.16%) and a reduced estimated glycemic index (eGI, 73.43 ± 4.49 vs. 77.55 ± 2.64) than WR, likely due to its higher amylose content. WGB fermentation increased <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillaceae</i>, reduced pro-inflammatory <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i> and <i>Enterocloster bolteae</i>, and released more arabinose and xylose. Additionally, WGB yielded higher isobutyrate, while WR contained more glucose and fructose in its structure, leading to increased acetate production and a more acidic environment. Functional analysis revealed that WGB upregulated pathways related to fatty acid elongation and fiber fermentation. These findings suggest WGB as a viable staple food alternative for diabetic patients, offering dual benefits in glycemic control and gut microbiota.
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spelling doaj-art-53a70473c9a942ef8f741b9c2aa0743b2025-08-20T03:36:26ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011415255710.3390/foods14152557Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro StudyQian Du0Ruisheng Fu1Ming Zhao2Meihong Xu3Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaInstitute of Biotechnology and Health, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100089, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaThe high glycemic index (GI) of polished white rice (WR) presents challenges for blood glucose control in diabetes. This study investigated the in vitro digestibility of a whole grain blend (WGB, composed of black, red, and brown rice) and its effects on the gut microbiota in elderly diabetic individuals. WGB exhibited lower starch digestibility (69.76 ± 5.71% vs. 73.02 ± 6.16%) and a reduced estimated glycemic index (eGI, 73.43 ± 4.49 vs. 77.55 ± 2.64) than WR, likely due to its higher amylose content. WGB fermentation increased <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillaceae</i>, reduced pro-inflammatory <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i> and <i>Enterocloster bolteae</i>, and released more arabinose and xylose. Additionally, WGB yielded higher isobutyrate, while WR contained more glucose and fructose in its structure, leading to increased acetate production and a more acidic environment. Functional analysis revealed that WGB upregulated pathways related to fatty acid elongation and fiber fermentation. These findings suggest WGB as a viable staple food alternative for diabetic patients, offering dual benefits in glycemic control and gut microbiota.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2557whole grainsin vitro digestiongut fermentationdiabetesmetagenomics
spellingShingle Qian Du
Ruisheng Fu
Ming Zhao
Meihong Xu
Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
Foods
whole grains
in vitro digestion
gut fermentation
diabetes
metagenomics
title Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
title_full Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
title_fullStr Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
title_full_unstemmed Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
title_short Comparing a Whole Grain Blend with Polished White Rice for Starch Digestibility and Gut Microbiota Fermentation in Diabetic Patients: An In Vitro Study
title_sort comparing a whole grain blend with polished white rice for starch digestibility and gut microbiota fermentation in diabetic patients an in vitro study
topic whole grains
in vitro digestion
gut fermentation
diabetes
metagenomics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2557
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