This is the second day of our feature for the Good-Food-for-the-Heart series, and we will talk about the health benefits of brown rice.
There are a lot of countries, especially in Asia, where rice is considered as their staple food. There are several types and ‘colors’ of rice, but white is probably the most popular. As compared to white rice, however, brown rice is more nutritious because the milling process which converts the natural color of rice into white strips these grains of their health benefits.
Brown rice is an excellent source of manganese, selenium, fiber and magnesium. It is also rich in vitamin B1, B3, B6 and iron. Taking one cup of cooked brown rice per day will provide your body with the trace minerals needed to produce energy, maintain a healthy nervous system and protect your body against cell damage. The fibrous content of brown rice helps reduce certain risks of certain cancers and diabetes.
Finally, its benefit to the heart lies in the fact that natural oil which brown rice contains helps lower your bad cholesterol. Fibrous grains like these also help regulate blood pressure due to its magnesium content.
True enough, brown rice is one heart-friendly food that should be part of your daily meals. Happy eating!