Is Brown Rice Better Than White Rice?

Tuesday, November 19, 2024  Read time3 min

SAEDNEWS: Eating brown rice offers incredible benefits. It helps manage diabetes, prevent obesity, improve heart health, reduce insomnia, and even stave off Alzheimer’s disease. Let's gain more insights about it in this post.

Is Brown Rice Better Than White Rice?

According to SAEDNEWS, Brown rice benefits the cardiovascular, digestive, brain, and nervous systems. It is packed with powerful antioxidants that help relieve conditions such as high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, stress, psychological depression, and skin disorders. The nutrients in brown rice have been shown to be effective in various medical conditions, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and insomnia. It has anti-depressant properties and supports healthy bones and a strong immune system.

What is Brown Rice?

Brown rice is a whole grain produced by removing only the outer husk of the rice kernel. Its bran, nutrients, and plant layers are retained. Compared to white rice, it requires more chewing and has a pleasant aroma.

Sprouted Brown Rice

Brown Rice

Sprouted brown rice is a common form of brown rice with enhanced nutritional value due to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This rice can be sprouted by soaking it in water for a specific time. Germination increases the levels of essential components such as ferulic acid, lysine, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, thiamin, and dietary fiber. These nutrients aid digestion, prevent intestinal irritation, inflammation, and allergies. It can be dried and stored to extend its shelf life without losing its nutritional value.

Why Choose Brown Rice Over White Rice?

Brown Rice

Many of us know that brown rice is better than white rice because of its nutritional value. The processing that converts brown rice into white rice strips it of most of its nutrients. Brown rice, however, preserves its wealth of essential components. It comes in various flavors, aromatic profiles, and concentrations of fatty acids.

Nutritional Facts of Brown Rice

According to the National Food Database, brown rice flour is rich in essential minerals like manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It contains vitamins such as B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, folic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Brown rice is a good protein source and adds significant fiber to your diet. It also supplies essential fatty acids.

Health Benefits of Brown Rice

1. Diabetes Management

Diabetes Management

Brown rice is beneficial for people with diabetes and hyperglycemia due to its low glycemic index, which reduces insulin resistance and stabilizes blood sugar levels. A study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition showed that brown rice, rich in phytic acid, fiber, and polyphenols, helps lower blood sugar levels compared to white rice.

 Antioxidant Activity

2. Antioxidant Activity

Brown rice is rich in antioxidants that protect against damage from free radicals. It contains the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which protects cells from oxidative damage during energy production. A study published in the Journal of Malaysian Medical Sciences highlighted that brown rice helps prevent oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cardiovascular conditions.

3. Prevents Obesity

Brown rice aids in weight control, especially for those struggling with obesity. It contains manganese, which helps synthesize body fats. Studies show that whole grains like brown rice reduce body mass index and fat levels.

Alzheimer’s Disease

4. Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease

Sprouted brown rice contains GABA, which helps prevent complications in the nervous system, including Alzheimer’s. Brown rice also inhibits harmful enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s and benefits other cognitive disorders like dementia.

5. Reduces Stress in Lactating Women

Brown rice improves the mental health of breastfeeding mothers by reducing depression, stress, and fatigue, as shown in studies published in the European Journal of Nutrition.

Reduces Stress in Lactating Women

Storage and Cooking Tips

Brown rice should be stored in airtight containers and used fresh. To increase shelf life, keep it in the refrigerator. Brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more water than white rice. Pre-soaking it can reduce cooking time.

In conclusion, brown rice is beneficial for multiple organs, including the heart, brain, bones, and digestive system. Consult with a doctor to ensure proper fiber intake in your diet.