Is rice good for dengue patients?

Paddy seeds are called rice. Mainly two types of rice are consumed more, brown rice and white rice. Carbohydrates and protein are present in both types of rice. Carbs, protein and fat are present in almost equal amounts in white and brown rice, but there is more fiber in brown rice.

In 100 grams of white rice:

• Calories: 130
• Carbohydrates: 28.7 grams
• Protein: 2.36 grams
• Fat: 0.19 grams (approx)

In 100 grams brown rice:

• Calories: 112
• Carbohydrates: 24 grams
• Protein: 2.3 grams
• Fiber: 1.8 grams (approx)

Yes, dengue patients can include rice in their diet. Dieticians advise dengue patients to eat about half a cup of rice in the afternoon. The carbohydrates and proteins present in rice can provide energy to dengue patients. Patients suffering from dengue have a lot of weakness in their bodies. To combat this, they require a good amount of calorie intake. Since rice is rich in calories, carbohydrates and proteins, you can give rice to dengue patients once a day. You can give both (or either) white and brown rice to dengue patients.

The nutrients present in brown rice can provide energy to dengue patients. Along with carbohydrates, it is also a source of fiber. By consuming fiber, stomach problems caused by dengue can be avoided. Apart from this, potassium, sodium and iron are also present in brown rice, which can be helpful in alleviating blood deficiency in dengue patients.

(Read more: Ayurvedic medicine for Dengue)

Consumption of rice can be good for the body. But if you do not eat properly cooked rice, then it can also be harmful. If you are giving rice to dengue patients, ensure that you cook it the right way. 

According to a study by Queen's University of Belfast, England, farmers use a variety of industrial toxic pesticides in the soil to increase rice production. There have been many such cases in which arsenic chemical has been found in rice. The use of arsenic can cause many diseases. Another study from the same university describes how to cook rice properly to eliminate arsenic. According to this study, if you want to eliminate arsenic in rice, you should soak it in water overnight. After this, wash it in the morning thoroughly with your hands, until the water of the rice becomes clear. Cook rice with about 5 times water in a vessel. Throw away the extra water once the rice is cooked. With this, the arsenic present in rice can be eliminated by up to 80%.

(Read more: White rice or brown rice: which is healthier?)

If your blood sugar level is high during dengue, then you should not consume rice in excess. Rice is rich in carbohydrates, which make its GI score (glycemic index) high. High GI score foods have a bigger impact on your blood sugar levels. 

Apart from this, do not consume raw rice as it can have an adverse effect on your health, which can, in turn,  complicate the symptoms of dengue.

(Read more: Homeopathic medicine for Dengue)

According to studies, people who regularly consume large amounts of white rice are more prone to metabolic syndrome. Apart from this, eating more rice can cause some other problems, such as:

• High blood pressure
• High fasting blood sugar
• Obesity

Dengue patients have to face many problems and to recover from the disease, they should pay special attention to their diet. During this time, you should include more fluids in your diet, so that there is no shortage of water in your body.

Apart from this, you should base your diet decisions on the advice of the doctor. Ask your doctor what you should be eating and what you should be avoiding when you’re suffering from dengue. This can help avoid the severity of dengue and aid a quick recovery.

(Read more: How long does dengue fever last)