Have you ever wondered about the fact that the size of rice you consume may bring more benefits to your health? Rice is one of the staple foods commonly consumed by Asian people along with fish, vegetables, mean, beans and so on. However, when it comes to type of rice the list could be really long and among the most favourite choice of rice is brown rice and even brown rice has its own variety. This article will discuss more about the health benefits of long grain brown rice.
What Is Long Grain Brown Rice?
If you are not careful, you will see all types of brown rice are just brown rice but when the fact is there are some varieties of brown rice and one of them is long grain brown rice. However, compared to other types of rice such as white rice or sticky rice, brown rice is the healthiest. It is because when the hull of the kernel is removed, the bran remains. It is the additional source of nutrients that you will not get from white rice because to make white rice, the bran should be removed as well.
Nutritional Values of Long Grain Brown Rice
White rice contains high vitamin B, fiber and minerals. However, when the process of turning brown rice into white rice, the rice lost almost 90% of vitamin B (especially vitamin B6), half of minerals such as manganese, iron and phosphorus. Most content of fiber and some fatty acids are also lost. That is why a lot of people are considering replacing their white rice into brown rice. To find out more about the health benefits of brown rice, the list below will tell you in details.
- Good for Heart
The magnesium and potassium content found in brown rice are the reasons why this rice is good for heart because one of the main health benefits of potassium is to eliminate excessive sodium that may be harmful for heart.
- Rich of Fiber
All the health benefits of fiber could be found in grain brown rice because the amount of fiber found in brown rice is higher than any other varieties of rice.
- Excellent for Gluten-Free Diets
Those who are currently in gluten-free diets don’t need to worry because long grain brown rice is 100% gluten-free.
- Good for Digestion
Since it is gluten-free and high of fiber, surely long grain brown rice is super great for digestion such as natural solution to constipation and normalizes the slow bowel movement.
- Excellent Source of Carbohydrate
One of the health benefits of carbohydrate is this compound is the most excellent energy booster. That is why a lot of Asian people are consuming rice for breakfast because they need all the energy obtained from carbohydrate to face the day.
- Natural Energy Booster
As mentioned in the previous point, whenever you need energy booster just simply adds long grain brown rice to your diet.
- Manages Cholesterol Level
Fiber is essential in managing cholesterol level because it will bind the excessive cholesterol to be washed off the system.
- Lowers the Risk of Cancer
The presence of antioxidants and fiber are how to prevent cancer in natural way. Those two components were found in long grain brown rice which are able to lower the risk of cancer, including colon cancer and breast cancer.
- Recommended Diet for Diabetic Patients
Once a person is diagnosed with a certain types of diabetes, it is not easy to manage the diet. However, the high fiber content in brown rice is actually relaly good for patients with diabetic because it makes them full longer and suppress their craving.
- Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
One of the amazing health benefits of long grain brown rice is its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the root of some chronic diseases and prevent it is better than treat it.
- Good for Weight Loss
Looking for a tasty food that could make you full longer so you could manage your weight loss? Well, brown rice is the solution because it is not only tasty but also super healthy.
- Maintains Healthy Bones
Compared to white rice, brown rice is richer in magnesium as well as calcium. Those two minerals are great to maintain healthy bones.
- Excellent Immunity Booster
The combinations of some essential vitamins, minerals and phenolic compounds are excellent to boost immunity by accelerating the healing process and fighting infections.
- High in Folate
One of the health benefits of brown rice for pregnancy due to its folate content. During pregnancy, the consumption of foods rich of folate is mandatory. Instead of consuming white rice, mothers during pregnancy are recommended to consume brown rice.
- Packed with Potent Antioxidants
The amount of antioxidants obtained from vitamins found in brown rice is higher compared to any other varieties of rice.
- Optimizes Nervous System
The presence of Vitamin B is the reason why long grain brown rice is able to optimize the nervous system to prevent some degenerative diseases.
- Contains Anti-Depressant Properties
Long grain brown rice contains some essential amino acids that could act as anti-depressant that may be helpful to reduce the early symptoms of depression.
- Natural Solution of Insomnia
Insomnia could be a long term problem but by adding brown rice to your daily diet may be helpful because it may improve the production of hormone melatonin that enhances the sleep quality.
Cautions of Long Grain Brown Rice
It is amazing when it comes to learn about the health benefits of long grain brown rice but it is also important to learn about the cautions that may affect human health.
- During the growth process, all kinds of rice varieties are absorbing a lot of water. That is why the trace of arsenic in this plant is commonly found. However, you don’t need to worry because the level is too low to cause any health conditions but you should be careful when combining it with foods with similar characteristics because it may raise the level of arsenic that enters your body.
- Just like any grains, there is possibility of allergic reaction for those who are allergic to grains. Consulting it with your doctors first whenever you decided to add long grain brown rice to your daily diet.
- It is also important to learn about the supplier that supplies the long grain brown rice. It is better to buy the brand one or from the most respectable supplier only.
Rice is already becoming one of the top choices of staple foods around the world because it is easy to find, relatively affordable and also very tasty. The health benefits of long grain brown rice is just another quality of this staple foods compared to other type of staple foods.