Rice is an excellent food to help keep your body healthy. Health benefits of rice can be found in more than forty thousand varieties of this cereal available in the world. The two main categories include whole grain rice and white rice. Whole grain rice is not processed much, therefore it is high in nutritional value, whereas white rice is processed so that the bran or outer covering is removed and it has less nutritional value.A Rice has the following nutritional benefits:
1. Great Energy Source
As rice is rich in carbohydrates, it acts as fuel for the body and aids in normal functioning of the brain.
2.Cholesterol Free
Eating rice is extremely beneficial for health, just for the fact that it does not contain harmful fats, cholesterol or sodium. It forms an integral part of balanced diet.
3. Rich in Vitamins
Rice is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin D, calcium, fibre, iron, thiamine and riboflavin.
4. Resistant Starch
Rice abounds in resistant starch, which reaches the bowel in undigested form. It aids the growth of useful bacteria for normal bowel movements.
5. High Blood Pressure
As rice is low in sodium, it is considered best food for those suffering from high blood pressure and hypertension.
6. Cancer Prevention
Whole grain rice like brown rice is rich in insoluble fibre that can possibly protect against many types of cancers. Many scientists believe that such insoluble fibres are vital for protecting the body against cancerous cells.
7. Skin Care
Medical experts say that powdered rice can be applied to cure some forms of skin ailments. In Indian subcontinent, rice water is duly prescribed by ayurvedic practitioners as an effective ointment to cool off inflamed skin surfaces.
8. Dysentery
The husk part of rice is considered as an effective medicine to treat dysentery. A three month old rice plants husks is said to contain diuretic properties. Chinese people believe that rice considerably increases appetite, cures stomach ailments and indigestion problems.
9. Alzheimer’s Disease
Brown rice is said to contain high levels of neurotransmitter nutrients that can prevent Alzheimer’s disease to a considerable extent.
10. Heart Disease
Rice bran oil is said to have antioxidant properties that promotes cardiovascular strength by reducing cholesterol levels in the body.
