The benefit of brown rice
I was fascinated to read in an archaeological journal that grains of rice and a piece of pottery dated to at least 10,000 BC were found during an archaeological dig in Hunan province in China.
This is the transition period from Palaeolithic period to Neolithic age, which makes it the earliest known sample of cultivated rice. This implies cultivation of rice has gone on far longer than thought.
Early Arab travellers to China introduced it to Greece, then Alexander the Great brought it to India. The Moors brought it to Spain in the eighth century, then the Crusaders introduced it to France.
Rice is one of the most important foods. In terms of health, the degree of milling is most important.
Brown rice is the whole grain with only the inedible hull removed. It contains nutrient bran and germ.
White rice is milled and polished. This removes the bran and germ and many of the important nutrients.
Brown rice is excellent for manganese, selenium and magnesium, and vitamins B1, B3 and B6. The aleurine layer of the rice, the layer lost in polishing, has essential fatty acids.
Studies at Louisiana State University found brown rice is helpful in reducing LDL or bad cholesterol. It seems this beneficial effect is due to the oil in brown rice, since the benefit does not occur with white.
Another study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology indicates eating foods high in insoluble fibre, like brown rice, can help women avoid gall stones. And the protection seems to be dose-related, the more eaten, the less the risk.
It is not just the fact it is a good source of fibre.
The grains are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, oligosaccharides, plant sterols and saponins. All seem to interact in a beneficial way.
There certainly also seems to be a protective effect against diabetes. This is because whole grains are associated with increased sensitivity to insulin.
A study from Finland concluded by saying that the 'kernel of the truth' is healthy eating habits (including brown rice consumption) lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Certainly good reason have it in your diet.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wakefield
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
