Advances in understanding the role of rice in nutrition

Publication date: 31/05/2017
Extent: 18 pages

Contributions by: Melissa Fitzgerald, University of Queensland, Australia; Adoracion Resurreccion, International Rice Research Institute, The Philippines; and Julie Pua Ferraz, Diabetes Foundation Marikina and Calamba Doctors’ Hospital, The Philippines

Chapter synopsis: Malnutrition includes both under- and over-nutrition. The development of rice varieties to improve dietary quality can play a role in addressing both forms of malnutrition. This chapter begins by considering under-nutrition, with an emphasis on the problem of micronutrient deficiency. It reviews how a staple crop such as rice can be biofortified to deliver key nutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A. Over-nutrition and its negative health consequences are then discussed, and we explore the possibility of biofortifying rice to carry nutritional properties of benefit to those at risk of or suffering from chronic disease.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0003.30