Designer Rice’ for Type 2 Diabetes: A New Initiative by CSIR-NIIST

Scientists at the Thiruvananthapuram-based CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) have developed ‘Designer Rice’ as an innovative solution to combat Type 2 diabetes. This rice has been specially formulated with health in mind, featuring a high-protein content and a low Glycemic Index (GI).The rice is claimed to have three times the protein of normal grains while maintaining a low glycemic index, helping in diabetes management.The technology has also been transferred to Tata Consumer Products Limited for commercialisation, indicating its potential for large-scale public use.

About Designer Rice

¨     ‘Designer rice’ refers to rice that is scientifically altered using food-processing technology to improve its nutritional composition.

¨    It is not a simple surface fortification but a “fundamental re-architecture of the grain”, where its internal composition is redesigned.

¨  The process involves deconstructing rice into starch, protein, and fibre, and then reassembling them in a controlled manner, ensuring that the final product retains the same taste, appearance, and cooking properties as conventional rice.

Technology and Production Process

¨     The innovation uses broken rice, usually a low-value byproduct. This is ground into flour, blended with protein and micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, and then reformed into rice-like grains.

¨   This approach not only improves nutrition but also adds value to agricultural waste, making it economically and environmentally significant.

Key nutritional features of the designer rice

¨   Low glycaemic index (GI < 55) – Supports improved blood sugar management and metabolic regulation

¨  >20% Protein content – Substantially higher protein levels compared to conventional polished rice

¨     Improved dietary fibre – Contributes to digestive health and prolonged satiety

¨    Micronutrient enrichment – Includes iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to address dietary deficiencies

Advantages

¨     Enhanced nutritional quality in a widely consumed staple

¨     Improved glycaemic control supporting metabolic health

¨     Reduction in micronutrient deficiencies

¨     Delivery of essential vitamins and minerals within traditional dietary frameworks

¨     Improved satiety and favourable sensory acceptance

¨     Scalable extrusion-based production suitable for large-scale food systems

Difference between regular rice and designer rice

¨     Regular white rice is predominantly carbohydrates and has a higher glycemic index (GI), leading to quicker spikes in blood sugar levels.

¨   Designer rice, in contrast, has higher protein content and a lower GI, making it more nutritionally balanced and beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels and enhancing satiety.

Target Beneficiaries

¨    Designer rice is particularly useful for children, elderly individuals, and people recovering from illness, who have higher nutritional needs.

¨     It is also beneficial for vegetarians and low-income groups, as it enhances nutrition without requiring a shift to expensive dietary alternatives.

Economic and Policy Relevance

¨     By utilising broken rice, the innovation increases value addition in agriculture.

¨  Its large-scale adoption can support food security and nutritional security, and it holds potential for integration into public food distribution and nutrition programmes.

¨  Promotes a circular economy in agriculture by utilising broken rice, an underutilised byproduct of milling.