Experts have found that people who follow a diet based on rice were less likely to be obese than those living in countries with low rice consumption.
The study found that Japanese or Asian-style diets with rice as a staple were less likely to lead to obesity.
Low-carbohydrate diets, like Atkins or Keto, which often limit rice are a popular weight-loss strategy in developed countries - but the effect of rice on obesity has been unclear.
The researchers looked at rice consumption per day per person and calorie intake in 136 countries, before then examining data on body mass index (BMI).
In the UK people were found to only consume 19g of rice a day, well below dozens of other countries including Canada, Spain, and the US.
The team found that even a slight increase in rice consumption to 50g per day per person, could reduce the prevalence of obesity worldwide by 1%.
This would cut the total number of obese adults by 6.5 million.
Professor Tomoko Imai, from Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan, who led the research, said: “The observed associations suggest that the obesity rate is low in countries that eat rice as a staple food.
“Therefore, a Japanese food or an Asian-food-style diet based on rice may help prevent obesity.
“Given the rising levels of obesity worldwide, eating more rice should be recommended to protect against obesity even in western countries.”
Giving possible reasons why rice can help, Prof Imai said rice was low fat, adding: “It’s possible that the fibre, nutrients and plant compounds found in whole grains may increase feelings of fullness and prevent overeating.”
The authors concluded: “The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower in the countries with higher rice supply even after controlling for lifestyle and socioeconomic indicators.”
Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “We have known for centuries that far eastern populations tend to be slimmer than in the west because rice is a staple food, but few obesity specialists may have appreciated why.
“This novel research is the first to hypothesise that we could nail obesity by eating a modest amount more.”
The study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.
