Rice Benefits For Health
The health benefits of rice include its ability to provide instant energy, regulate and improve bowel movements, stabilize blood sugar levels, and slow down the aging process. It also plays a role in providing vitamin B1 to the human body. Other benefits include its ability to aid in skin care, boost the metabolism, aid in digestion, reduce high blood pressure, help in weight loss, boost the immune system, and provide protection against dysentery, cancer, and heart diseases.
These benefits can be found in more than forty thousand varieties of this cereal available throughout the world. The two main categories are whole grain and white rice. Whole grain is not that processed, so it is high in nutritional value, whereas white rice is processed so that the bran or outer covering is removed, leaving it with fewer nutritional value. People choose different types of rice depending on their culinary needs, availability, and the potential health benefits as well.
It can also be defined by the length of each grain. Asian cuisines specialize in long grained ones, whereas American countries prefer short or medium length grains.
Rice Health Benefits
It is a fundamental food in many cuisines around the world and it is an important cereal crop that feeds more than half of the world’s population. The health benefits of this widespread crop are explained below.
Controls Blood Pressure
Rice is low in sodium, so it is considered one of the best foods for those suffering from 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.
Diuretic & Digestive Qualities
The husk of rice is considered to be an effective medicine to treat dysentery, and some people say husks from three months old rice crop are said to have diuretic properties. Chinese people believe that rice considerably increases appetite, cures stomach ailments, and reduces all digestive problems. As a diuretic, rice husk can help you lose excess water weight, eliminate toxins from the body like uric acid, and even lose weight, since approximately 4% of urine is actually made up of body fat! The high fiber content also increases bowel movement regularity and protects against various types of cancer, as well as reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
Skin Care
Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied topically to cure 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, 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, it tends to relieve a number of skin conditions. The antioxidant capacity also helps to delay the appearance of wrinkles and other premature signs of aging that can affect the skin.
Provides 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 metabolized by the body and turned into functional, usable energy. The vitamins, minerals, and organic components in rice increase the functioning and metabolic activity of all your organ systems, which further increases energy levels.
Prevents Cancer
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 is beneficial in defending against colorectal and intestinal cancer. However, besides fiber, it also has natural antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which act as or stimulate antioxidants to scour the body from free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of cellular metabolism that can damage 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.
Prevents Obesity
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 a 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 also help to reduce obesity and associated conditions.
Improves Metabolism
Rice is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, iron, thiamine, and riboflavin. These vitamins provide the foundation for body’s metabolism, immune system health, and general functioning of the organ systems since vitamins are required for many activities in the body.
