Brown Rice vs. White Rice

The greatest benefit of brown rice would be the amount of antioxidants this little grain packs!

by Cody George, LIFEGUARD TIMES

Currently, there is an ongoing debate that has lasted for decades. Is brown rice really healthier for you than white rice? The health benefits of brown rice range all across the spectrum, and a few key components of this whole grain help reinforce the fact that brown rice is healthier for you than its processed alternative.

White rice is shelled and processed, which removes a lot of nutrition found within the shell of the untouched brown rice grain. The shell for brown rice contains healthy cache of fiber. A cup of brown rice contains as much fiber as a cup of oatmeal! Having a high-fiber diet aids in digestion and has been known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Along with fiber, brown rice is known to have a high concentration of magnesium. Magnesium is an important nutrient that is known to reduce bone deficiency later in life and can drastically reduce blood pressure. A single cup of brown rice has 21% of your daily required magnesium!

If you’re considering foods to help with blood pressure, brown rice may be the food for you. With it’s high content of fiber and magnesium, brown rice contains traces of selenium as well. Selenium is a great nutrient that allegedly reduces the risk for common illnesses, such as heart disease and certain cancers. Deposits of natural oils found in brown rice are known to help regulate cholesterol levels as well.

The greatest benefit of brown rice would be the amount of antioxidants this little grain packs! Antioxidants help fight free radicals – a naturally occurring byproduct of our own body converting food to energy. Free radicals latch on and damage certain cells in our bodies. This is the leading theory behind why humans age.

Even with the benefits brown rice claim to have, it’s still advised to watch your intake of this high-fiber grain. Immediately introducing large amounts of fiber to your diet may cause diarrhea, cramping and gas. Gradually introduce your diet to brown rice by starting with a ¼th of a cup per day and avoid eating white rice in the mean time. This can confuse your stomach and may allow discomfort for the rest of the day.

Adding brown rice to your diet is definitely a way to keep healthy and regulated. Keeping an eye on your brown rice intake at first will be a bit of a challenge, however the outcome is sure to be worth it! You can visit websites like Whole Foods to learn how to properly prepare brown rice for your next meal! ╚