Punjab Agricultural University develops new wheat variety to keep blood sugar, obesity in check

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Last Updated11/07/2023

The Ludhiana-based institution has bred a new wheat variety called PBW RS 1, with high amylose starch content, known to reduce risks of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

PBW RS 1 contains high amylose starch content.
Food prepared with PBW RS1 wheat (RS - resistant starch) won't cause an immediate and rapid rise in glucose levels.
The high amylose and resistant starch ensure that glucose is released more slowly into the bloodstream.
Being slower to digest, it also increases a feeling of satiety
Food prepared from its whole grain flour also has a lower glycemic index.
- So, it can help bring down the prevalence of diet-related diseases, including obesity and diabetes (especially type 2)
Apart from its nutritional attributes, PBW RS1 is “completely resistant” to yellow rust and “moderately resistant” to brown rust fungal diseases.
However, lower productivity is a challenge

It is the condition in which the human body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels.
It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults

It is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates.
It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own.