New rice strains with higher resistant starch could revolutionize diets.
The researchers studied different types of rice to understand how resistant starch content is related to the length of starch chains. They found that rice with high resistant starch has longer starch chains and more dietary fiber and amylose. This type of rice also has lower viscosity when cooked. Short starch chains are negatively related to resistant starch, while longer chains are positively related. This information can help breeders create rice with more resistant starch.