Why does blood sugar rise immediately after eating rice?

Blood sugar levels rise after eating rice, mainly for the following reasons:

1. Rice, especially polished white rice, is rich in carbohydrates, primarily in the form of starch. The human digestive system can rapidly break down starch into glucose. When large amounts of glucose enter the bloodstream, pancreatic beta cells must secrete more insulin to help glucose enter cells for energy use or storage, causing a rapid increase in blood sugar levels after meals. This process is particularly evident in individuals with diabetes or those who have poor blood sugar control.

2. Rice is relatively easy to digest, and the human digestive system can quickly break down its starch into glucose, further accelerating the rise in blood sugar levels.

3. For individuals with diabetes, impaired pancreatic function results in insufficient insulin secretion or reduced insulin effectiveness, making it difficult to regulate blood sugar levels effectively, leading to a significant post-meal increase in blood glucose.

Note that long-term hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) increases insulin resistance and places additional strain on beta cell function, further worsening glycemic control.

Therefore, adjusting dietary patterns, such as increasing dietary fiber intake, choosing low-GI foods, and combining these with appropriate physical activity, can help improve postprandial glycemic response and maintain stable blood sugar levels.