Weekend Edition Hot off the Press #7: Health Benefits of Rice - Part 1

Rice plays a large part in the gluten free world. It’s versatile and can be made into a variety of different things. Being that rice is so important; we thought we should take a deeper look into what rice is and what health benefits it brings to the table. This weekend, you are in for a treat. We had a few of our writers write about this topic. This is part 1 and part 2 will be posted tomorrow morning.


It’s Not Just Rice
By: Justin C.

It’s rolled with seaweed and fish in Japan. It’s covered in spicy, yellow curry in India. It’s turned into a milky, cinnamon drink in Mexico. However it’s cooked, served and eaten (or drank), rice has been a staple in many of the greatest civilizations. And why wouldn’t it be? Rice has so many factors that keep our body health and moving.

There are more than 40,000 different varieties of rice, including jasmine, basmati and sushi rice. So each type may differ to some degree in how healthy it is in certain areas. You can divide rice into two categories: brown and white rice. White rice is basically brown rice that has gone through a husking process that, as a result, also removes some of its nutrients.

But despite the different types, one thing you can count on is that all rice is low in fat, low in sodium, cholesterol-free and a good source of the quick energy fuel, carbs.

Rice can be an awesome source of fiber. The American Dietetic Association recommends a minimum of 20-35 g/day. And if you’re like most Americans, you’re not getting enough of the stuff. Not even close! Most Americans get maybe half as much as they need. And that’s a shame since there are many benefits of fiber; it’s especially known to keep your bowels moving and healthy, as well as making you feel full faster. It also helps decrease risks of health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and cancers.

Think about incorporating some whole grains, such as brown rice in your diet. A cup of cooked brown rice has about 4 g of fiber (compared to 1 c of white rice which as 1 g of fiber).

You may even be surprised that the nutrients found in rice can help fight damages that occur in your body. Every day, you breathe in (and eat) pollutants and toxins, which does some damage to our bodies. But various antioxidants found in rice helps combat these and help our body stay in check. For example, the potassium in rice helps reduce toxins in our body, and B vitamins, specifically B1, regulate blood sugar.

Speaking of sugar, rice is a good source of it. In the past few years, carbohydrates (sugar) have had a bad rap. You may love it or you may hate it, but one thing is clear: you need it! More specifically, the carbohydrate, glucose, is needed for your brain to function. You can’t think or function without it!

Carbohydrates are used as a quick energy source. If you’re looking for something to eat before a run or a workout, rice can give you the energy you need. It’s not all about protein when you’re working out. Try some wrapped in a tortilla with some egg and cheese, which also incorporates some proteins and fats, which are needed for longer bouts of exercise. But that’s for another blog.

So who knew this seemingly simple food is as complex in providing so many numbers of attributes that help our bodies stay healthy and strong? And as many countries and civilizations have shown, it’s an amazingly versatile food that can be incorporated in countless dishes.

Come back tomorrow morning for part 2 of this Weekend Edition.