The Benefits Of Rice

Rice is an integral part of any healthy diet. This food can be an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and complements protein alternatives to saturated fat-laden meat dishes.

Rice is the backbone of almost every diet. In Asian countries each person consumes about 300 pounds a year. Americans eat about 21 pounds per person, per year.

Americans got used viewing rice as a side dish to a meat-centered diet. On the contrary, Asians view rice as the focus of the meal. If you increase the amount of rice and decrease the amount of meat served, it will help to reduce saturated fat intake.

Brown rice is the whole grain with only the outer husk removed. It is tan in color and has a chewy texture and a nutlike flavor. It is higher in protein than other types of rice.

Brown rice provides three times the fiber of white rice and is an excellent source of manganese and a good source of selenium, magnesium and many B vitamins. By the way, the fiber and selenium in brown rice may work together to reduce colon cancer risk. Also researches showed that rice bran oil can reduce blood cholesterol levels. Brown rice is useful for postmenopausal women. If it is eaten daily it can help slow the progression of heart disease. In addition, rice helps prevent weight gain, and eating whole grains is correlated with a lower body weight. So the health benefits of rice are amazing.