Novel resistant starch-enriched seawater rice: Multifaceted beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, gut microbiota, and colitis resistance

Global arable land is shrinking. Public health burdens from metabolic and intestinal disorders are rising. Developing functional cereal crops for marginal lands is now a critical research priority. This study investigated a novel resistant starch (RS)-enriched Seawater Rice (SR). We compared its benefits to Waxy Rice (WR) and Normal Rice (NR). SR had the highest RS content and WR was dominated by rapidly digestible starch. In an oral glucose tolerance test, SR uniquely reduced acute postprandial glycemic spikes. In vitro fermentation showed SR distinctly altered gut microbiota. SR downregulated pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella and enriched beneficial Bifidobacterium and Ligilactobacillus . In Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, SR alleviated body weight loss and enhanced intestinal barrier function. It also restored key short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels. WR and NR showed no protective effects. These findings highlight SR’s RS-driven superiority via the gut microbiota-SCFA axis, supporting its potential as a functional food for glycemic control and colitis prevention.