In India, rice isn’t just a food item, it’s a part of our everyday lives. White rice is common on every plate, but this long-standing habit is about to change. Scientists have developed a new rice called CSIR Designer Rice, which not only tastes like traditional rice but also offers some health benefits.
This rice isn’t grown in traditional fields, but is produced in the lab. It’s produced using extrusion technology to ensure a low glycemic index (GI) and a high protein content. This means that instead of causing a rapid spike in blood sugar, this rice will increase slowly, providing more protein. How different is this lab-grown rice from normal rice, and is it healthy?
CSIR Designer Rice is completely different from conventionally cultivated rice. First, ground rice flour is taken and rice protein extracted is added. This mixture is then subjected to twin-screw extrusion technology.
In this process, the mixture is passed through a metal die under high temperature and pressure to form rice grains. The advantage of this is that the grains resemble polished rice, but are nutritionally superior. Anandharamakrishnan, the director of this research, explains that no chemical additives are used; it is simply a physical process.
The CSIR designer rice grown in the lab differs from regular white rice in several ways. The most significant feature of this designer rice is its low GI. Regular white rice is digested quickly and causes a rapid increase in blood sugar, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. This problem has been addressed by increasing the protein content in designer rice. The increased protein content helps digest carbohydrates slowly and prevents sudden blood sugar spikes.
Regular rice contains approximately 6–8 percent protein, while this designer rice has increased this to 20 percent. This protein is pure protein extracted from rice, which is plant-based and allergen-free. However, some nutritionists say the protein quality is not completely balanced. Rice protein does not provide a complete amino acid profile, so combining it with other sources provides the most benefit.
CSIR Designer Rice is somewhat healthier than traditional white rice because it has a higher protein content (about 20 percent) and a lower glycemic index, which leads to a slower rise in blood sugar and may reduce the risk of diabetes or obesity. It is made from plant-based and allergen-free protein, but because it has been reconstituted in a lab, it is considered an ultra-processed food and the protein content is not fully balanced. Therefore, it is beneficial to eat it as part of a balanced daily diet, but it cannot be considered a completely super-healthy option.
CSIR has licensed the technology to Tata Consumer Products and Chennai-based SS Soul Foods. They will handle marketing, pricing, and distribution. Its reach will depend on its price.