Low-Carb Rice Cookers: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Did you know there are rice cookers that can actually lower the amount of sugar and starch in your rice? Discover how these innovative appliances can help you enjoy rice with less guilt.
By:
The Good Home Daily
Posted on March 25, 2025
As Filipinos, we have a deep-rooted love for rice. However, with growing health concerns, we often find ourselves torn between enjoying our favorite food and managing our weight. Studies have shown that white rice can have a similar effect as eating pure table sugar. Yikes!
Fortunately, thanks to low-carb rice cookers or sugar-reducing rice cookers, enjoying an extra bowl of fluffy rice can feel less guilty. These innovative appliances are said to use unique technology to reduce the amount of sugar in our favorite carbs.
But, do these appliances actually work? How do rice cookers lower sugar and calories from our rice? We’ll answer all these questions and more in this guide.
What Are Low-Carb Rice Cookers and How Do They Work?
As the name suggests, low-carb rice cookers are electric home appliances that theoretically reduce the starch content in rice. Unlike traditional rice cookers, these carb-reducing devices employ a unique design and technology that significantly lowers the amount of sugar in the final product.
While this sounds very complex, the basic principle is actually straightforward. It involves boiling rice in excess water—about 3 to 4 times the weight of the rice.
The extra amount of water is important in the process, as it acts as a solvent that dissolves the starch from the rice.
Once the starch is dissolved, it is then removed from the rice through a filtration process, resulting in low-carb rice.
2 Main Types of Low-Carb Rice Cookers
Low-carb rice cookers come in two primary types, according to the method of draining the excess water. These two are the siphon and wash-down types:
1. Siphon-Type
This type of carb-reducing rice cooker features a tray within the inner pot. This tray plays a crucial role in the siphon-type low-carb rice cooker.
As the rice cooker heats up, a pressure difference builds inside the inner pot. This pressure pushes the water upward, causing it to overflow and collect in the tray. Think of it like a miniature geyser erupting within your rice cooker!
The excess water in the tray contains dissolved starch from the rice. Once this water is removed, the remaining rice can be cooked in the usual way, just like in a traditional rice cooker.
2. Wash-down Type
In this type of low-carb rice cooker, rice is placed inside the basket, while the bottom of the inner pot is filled with water.
The water level is carefully adjusted to ensure the basket isn’t submerged. As the cooker heats up, the boiling water repeatedly splashes onto the rice in the basket. This splashing action helps dissolve the starch from the rice into the water.
While the wash-down type offers a unique approach to starch reduction, some users have noted that the rice can sometimes be too wet.
Are Sugar-Reducing Rice Cookers Effective?
By reducing the starch content in rice, you can enjoy many benefits, such as managing weight, improving blood sugar control, and enhancing overall health. But do these low-carb rice cookers actually work?
A 2022 study funded by the Korean Government revealed that low-carb rice cookers can indeed be an effective tool for reducing the glycemic response of rice.
Glycemic response refers to how quickly and how high blood sugar levels rise after eating a particular food. A low glycemic response means that blood sugar levels rise more slowly and gradually.
The study demonstrated that rice cooked in a carb-reducing rice cooker reduced calories and carbohydrates by approximately 20% compared to regular rice.
What’s more, there were no significant differences in taste, fullness, hunger, or duration of taste experience between the two, which is definitely good news for rice lovers out there.
But Not All Low-Carb Rice Cookers Are Equal
While studies have shown the effectiveness of low-carb rice cookers in reducing sugar from rice, a recent report by the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan raises some questions.
In March 2023, the center tested five brands of sugar-reducing rice cookers. They found that while these cookers did produce rice with a slightly softer texture and higher water content, the actual carbohydrate reduction was often less than advertised.
Although all five brands achieved a 10-30% reduction in carbohydrates compared to regular rice, four of them fell short of the specified reduction rate claimed in their advertisements.
Additionally, the study found that the rice cooked in sugar-reducing mode was heavier in weight. However, there was no significant difference in the total amount of carbohydrates contained.
This suggests that while low-carb rice cookers can reduce sugar content, the actual results may vary depending on the brand and cooking method.
Consumers should be aware of these findings and carefully evaluate their options before making a purchase.
The Takeaways
Low-carb rice cooker is indeed an innovative invention that can bring many benefits. However, it is not a magic solution. Even with low-carb rice, it is essential to be mindful of portion sizes to avoid excessive sugar consumption.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, and mindful eating habits are still essential for managing blood sugar and maintaining overall health.
