Evidence supporting the use of: White Rice
For the health condition: Cholera

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

White rice has been traditionally used in several cultures as part of dietary management during diarrheal illnesses, including cholera. This practice has its roots in the use of bland, easily digestible foods to help maintain nutrition and provide some energy without further irritating the gastrointestinal tract. In the context of cholera—a disease characterized by profuse, watery diarrhea leading to rapid dehydration—the primary medical intervention is oral rehydration therapy (ORT), which relies on specific solutions of water, salts, and glucose to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Historically, rice-based solutions (such as rice water or rice gruel) have been used in some regions as a home remedy for diarrhea, predating the global adoption of the standardized WHO oral rehydration solution (ORS). Some studies, especially from the 1980s and 1990s, investigated rice-based ORS and found that, compared to glucose-based ORS, rice-based solutions could reduce stool output in cholera patients. The rice starch serves as a substrate for sodium absorption in the gut, similar to glucose, and may be more effective in some cases. However, while rice-based ORS has some scientific support, simply eating white rice is not a substitute for proper rehydration therapy. Modern clinical guidelines prioritize standard ORS, but rice-based ORS may still be used in resource-limited or traditional settings. Therefore, the use of white rice is primarily borne out of tradition, with moderate supporting evidence.

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