Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in association with the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) has come out with an Improved Samba Masuri (ISM).
- The new Masuri is resistant to bacteria blight and also has a low Glycemic Index (GI) considered suitable for those with diabetes.
- ISM has low GI of 50.99 which is among the lowest value for several rice varieties tested and usually in the range of 53 to 69
- ISM also has desirable attributes like better yield and fine grain type enhancing market potential and profit for farmers
- GI value of a food is determined by feeding 10 or more healthy people a portion of the food containing 50 grams of digestible (available) carbohydrate and then measuring the effect on their blood glucose levels over the next two hours.
- The results are the prepared after extensive human trials by National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), a constituent of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),
- Consumption of food with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream reducing the ill-effects of diabetes.
