RICE X STARCH

Rice (28.7%)

Rice is the most commonly consumed staple food in the world (42).

It is also high in starch, especially in its uncooked form. For instance, 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of uncooked rice contain 80.4 grams of carbs, of which 63.6% is starch (43).

However, when rice is cooked, the starch content drops dramatically.

In the presence of heat and water, starch molecules absorb water and swell. Eventually, this swelling breaks the bonds between starch molecules through a process called gelatinization (44).

Therefore, 3.5 ounces of cooked rice only contain 28.7% starch, because cooked rice carries a lot more water (45).

SUMMARY:Rice is the most commonly consumed staple item in the world. It contains less starch when cooked, because starch molecules absorb water and break down during the cooking process.