Riceabetes: is the association of type 2 diabetes with rice intake due to a high carbohydrate intake or due to exposure to excess inorganic arsenic?

A high intake of rice is associated with a high incidence and prevalence of diabetes. While this may be partially due to the high glycemic index carbohydrate content, it may also be due to a high arsenic level found in rice. Arsenic increases insulin resistance and decreases beta-cell function through oxidative stress, high cytokine levels, activation of NF-kappa B and increased amyloid formation in the pancreatic beta cells.