A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), published in Nature Medicine, warns that India’s high consumption of refined carbohydrates—mainly white rice and wheat- is significantly driving the country's escalating rates of diabetes , prediabetes , and obesity .

The research, conducted under the ICMR-INDIAB project in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), analyzed the dietary habits of 1,21,077 adults from both urban and rural areas across 36 states.

The cross-sectional survey revealed that carbohydrates make up a staggering 62% of Indians’ daily caloric intake—one of the highest rates globally. Much of this comes from low-quality sources such as white rice, milled grains, and added sugar. Regional dietary patterns further highlight the

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