Health Benefits Of Rice

By Stewart Hare

Rice (Oryza Sativa) has been used as a food for centuries; in fact it has been used for 6,000 years in China. Rice is the staple food in many Asian countries and China, Vietnam and Thailand are now major exporters of rice. There are over 8000 varieties of rice, they are generally categorised as short grain, medium grain or long grain rice. Brown rice tends to be the whole grain of rice with only the outer husk removed whilst white rice is milled and polished. Brown rice is more nutrient rich and is better for you than white rice which has had the bran and germ removed in the milling process. Popular varieties of rice are Arborio, Basmati, Sweet rice and Jasmine rice.

Brown rice has many beneficial health nutrients in it, it is best to eat brown rice rather than white because a majority of the nutrients within white rice have been destroyed in the milling and polishing process. Brown rice contains manganese which is great for energy and antioxidant protection, phytonutrients with anti-cancer properties which can protect against heart disease, magnesium which can help to protect against and reduce the symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. The fibre content of brown rice can help to protect against and reduce the symptoms of atherosclerosis, colon cancer, constipation, diarrhoea and gallstones.

Nutrients

• Potassium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Folic acid

Benefits

• Good energy food
• Balances blood sugar levels
• Antioxidant
• Anti-cancer
• Lowers cholesterol
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Relieves constipation

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

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