Why Brown Rice?

Rice is something that a lot of recipes call for, and we personally eat it at least twice a week. One of the health tips I picked up was to replace white rice with brown rice in your meals. When I read this, I stuck my nose up a little because brown rice was that weird stuff that my dad always ate, and it obviously wouldn't taste good. I mean really, how many more health benefits can it have anyway? I figured I would give it a try anyway. Last night I tried cooking with brown rice for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised that it's actually really good. (FYI brown rice does take longer to cook than white rice). This motivated me to actually research why brown rice was so much better than white rice. On first glance, the nutrition doesn't look too different but upon further investigation, this is what I found: (via healthiertalk.com)

1. Brown Rice is Rich in Selenium

Extremely high in selenium, an important trace mineral known to drastically reduce our chances of developing certain forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, inflammatory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Brown Rice is Very High in Manganese

One cup of brown rice gives us over 80% of our daily manganese requirements. This mineral helps the human body create the important fatty acids that make healthy forms of cholesterol. It is also beneficial to the health of our nervous and reproductive systems.

3. Brown Rice Holds Naturally Occurring Oils

These heart-healthy oils are naturally found in brown rice and can help the body reduce LDL forms of cholesterol.

4. Brown Rice Promotes Weight Loss

Because of its fiber-richness and ability to keep healthy bowel function, brown rice “keeps things moving” in a way that promotes weight-loss and metabolic function. After one bowl of brown rice, you’ll feel fuller but overall ate a smaller amount of food.

5. Brown Rice is a Whole Grain

Unlike white rice, brown rice has not lost its wholeness. Studies show that six servings of whole grains weekly can lower the creation of arterial plaque build-up and reduce chances of developing heart disease and high cholesterol.

6. Brown Rice is an Antioxidant

Most people associate antioxidants with blueberries and green tea, but many are unaware that brown rice is also a source of antioxidants.

7. Brown Rice Very High in Fiber

Studies have correlated the high use of whole grains like brown rice with lowered levels of colon cancer. This may be related to its high fiber content. Studies show that fiber actually attaches to cancer-causing substances and toxins, helping to eliminate them from the body, and keeping them from attaching to the cells in our colon. Brown rice also contains the necessary components to stabilize digestion, prevent/relieve constipation and promote proper elimination/bowel function.

8. Brown Rice is a Slow-Release Sugar

Unlike stripped rice, brown rice can help keep blood sugar stabilized, as it releases sugars slowly and in a sustained fashion. This makes it a better option for diabetics, as compared to white rice. While studies in Asia have shown a link between the consumption of white rice and risk of type-2 diabetes, new research shows that individuals who eat at least two servings of brown rice weekly can reduce their chances of developing diabetes 2 by up to 11 percent.

I also found out that brown rice is what white rice looks like before it is refined, which removes most of the nutrients. In fact, companies have to synthetically replace the nutrients that are taken out because if they didn't the rice wouldn't meet FDA nutrition standards. 

All this to say, brown rice is the better, healthier choice and it's an easy change to make. I thought brown rice would be a lot more expensive than white rice (and give me a good excuse not to buy it), but it is only about 20 cents a bag more expensive. That's a small price to pay for all the health benefits that white rice doesn't give you!

This is one healthy choice that we will try to continue to make. What about you?