New Delhi – A study that analysed India's dietary consumption in relation to risk of metabolic disorders has estimated that 62 per cent of the country's total daily energy intake comes from low-quality carbohydrates, including white rice and processed whole grains.

About a fourth of the world's diabetics are estimated to be living in India, significantly higher than other countries.

Researchers from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), among other institutes also found high levels of saturated fat and a low intake of protein contributing to the total daily energy intake across India.

The analysis looked at data collected by the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, a door-to-door population survey of a representative sample of individuals aged 20 and above from across 30 states and union territories, and the NCT of Delhi.

Findings published in the journal Nature Medicine show that an individual with highest intake of carbohydrate could be at a 30 per cent higher chance of developing diabetes, 22 per cent obesity and 15 per cent abdominal obesity, compared to lowest intake.

Further, replacing refined cereals - products from grains such as wheat, rice or corn - with whole wheat or millet flour without lowering one's overall carbohydrate intake was not linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

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