Adding rice to your diet may help improve your overall diet and help you avoid some common chronic diseases, according to a new study.

Research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association has found including rice as part of a healthful, balanced diet may be linked to better eating patterns, which can reduce the risk of developing diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

The study suggests people who eat rice also eat more vegetables, meats, poultry and seafood and fiber, which leads to higher consumption of several key nutrients, including folic acid, potassium and iron that are contained in rice products. Rice eaters also consume less added sugar and less total fat and saturated fat than non-rice eaters.

“We know that rice is the foundation of a healthy diet for much of the world, especially in Asia and the Mediterranean. This study documents for the first time a similar pattern among rice eaters in the U.S. and that they appear to manage their weight better than non-rice consumers,” said Iowa State University researcher and study co-author Dr. Helen Jensen.

Proper diet is a key health resource to prevent many diseases, especially heart disease and diabetes. Researchers say their findings suggest adding rice to the diet can improve overall nutrition and be a key preventive medicine strategy.