Health Benefits Of Rice

The health benefits of rice include its ability to provide fast and instant energy, regulate and improve bowel movements, stabilize blood sugar levels, and slow down the aging process, while also providing an essential source of vitamin B1 to the human body.

Other benefits include its ability :-

• to boost skin health,
• increase the metabolism,
• aid in digestion,
• reduce high blood pressure,
• help weight loss efforts,
• improve the immune system and
• provide protection against dysentery, cancer, and heart disease.

Rice is a fundamental food in many cultural cuisines around the world, and it is an important cereal crop that feeds more than half of the world’s population.

The various benefits of rice can be found in more than forty thousand varieties of this cereal that is available throughout the world. The two main categories are whole grain rice and white rice.

WHITE RICE :-

White or polished rice, which consists of endosperm, provides us with carbohydrate, a nutrient that we need in the largest amounts to survive.

• Carbohydrate is our main source of fuel,, and we it need for the proper functioning of our bodily functions, especially brain performance, daily growth, and repair.
• According to USDA, 45% – 65% of our calories should come from carbohydrate.
• This means we need a total of 180g-200g of carbohydrate daily – 120g to satisfy the requirement of the brain, 30g for red blood cells, and 20-60 for wound healing.
•   Without sufficient carbohydrate daily, muscle tissue breakdown willl occur, fatigue will set in, and brainpower will diminish.
• Aside from carbohydrate, white rice is also a source of some high-quality proteins, with 8 essential amino acids that building blocks for making strong muscles.
• It also has some amounts of B vitamins such as niacin, and thiamine.

WHOLEGRAIN RICE :-

Wholegrain rice is a complete rice, with endosperm and additionally health-benefiting bran and germ, which is left intact unpolished during processing.

• Wholegrain rice provides you with complex carbohydrate.
• It is slowly digested and absorbed by your body, and therefore, provides a steady supply of energy, and stabilizes your blood sugar level. It is also is a better source of vitamins and minerals.
• The bran and germ is full of B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, manganese, selenium, potassium, and zinc.
• They also provide phytochemicals, antioxidants, and healthy rice bran oil which helps to reduce cholesterol.
• Darker colored wholegrains also provide more antioxidants.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that whole grains provides these health benefits :-

• reduced risk of stroke by 30-36%
• reduced risk of type 2 diabetes by 21-30%
• reduced risk of heart disease by 25-28%
• reduced risk of asthma
• reduced risk of pancreatic, breast, and colorectal cancer.
• better weight maintenance
• healthier blood pressure levels

Great Source of Energy :-

• Since rice is abundant in carbohydrates, it acts as fuel for the body and aids in the normal functioning of the brain.
• Carbohydrates are essential to be metabolized by the body and turned into functional, usable energy.
• The vitamins, minerals, and various organic components increase the functioning and metabolic activity of all your organ systems, which further increases energy levels.

Cholesterol Free :-

• Eating rice is extremely beneficial for your health, simply because it does not contain harmful fats, cholesterol or sodium.
• It forms an integral part of balanced diet.
• Any food that can provide nutrients without having any negative impacts on health is a bonus! Low levels of fat, cholesterol, and sodium will also help reduce obesity and the health conditions associated with being overweight.
• Rice is one of the most widely used and eaten foods in the world because it can keep people healthy and alive, even in very small quantities.

Blood Pressure Management :-

•  Rice is low in sodium, so it is considered one of the best foods for those suffering from high blood pressure and hypertension.
• Sodium can cause veins and arteries to constrict, increasing the stress and strain on the cardiovascular system as the blood pressure increases.
• This is also associated with heart conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes, so avoiding excess sodium is always a good idea.

Boosts Skin Health :-

• Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied topically to cure certain skin ailments.
• The antioxidant capacity also helps delay the appearance of wrinkles and other premature signs of aging that can affect the skin.

Alzheimer’s Disease :-

Brown rice is said to contain high levels of nutrients that stimulate the growth and activity of neurotransmitters, subsequently helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease to a considerable extent.

Rich in Vitamins :-

•  Rice is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, iron, thiamine and riboflavin.
• These vitamins provide the foundation for body metabolism, immune system health, and general functioning of the organ systems, since vitamins are commonly consumed in the most essential activities in the body.

Cancer Prevention :-

• Whole grain rice like brown rice is rich in insoluble fiber that can protect against many types of cancer.
• Many scientists and researchers believe that such insoluble fibers are vital for protecting the body against the development and metastasis of cancerous cells.
• Fiber, specifically is beneficial in defending against colorectal and intestinal cancer.
• However, besides fiber, rice also has natural antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin-A, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which also act as or stimulate antioxidants to scour the body for free radicals.
• Free radicals are byproducts of cellular metabolism that can do serious damage to your organ systems and cause the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous ones.
• Boosting your antioxidant levels is a great idea, and eating more rice is a wonderful way to do that.

Alzheimer’s Disease :-

• Brown rice is said to contain high levels of nutrients that stimulate the growth and activity of neurotransmitters, subsequently helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease to a considerable extent.
• Various species of wild rice have been shown to stimulate neuroprotective enzymes in the brain, which inhibit the effects of free radicals and other dangerous toxins that can cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Skin care :-

Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied topically to cure certain skin ailments. On the Indian subcontinent, rice water is readily prescribed by ayurvedic practitioners as an effective ointment to cool off inflamed skin surfaces. The phenolic compounds that are found in rice, particularly in brown or wild rice, have anti-inflammatory properties, so they are also good for soothing irritation and redness. Whether consumed or topically applied, substance derived from rice tend to relieve a number of skin conditions. The antioxidant capacity also helps delay the appearance of wrinkles and other premature signs of aging that can affect the skin.