Brown rice is a whole grain that has the husk and outer bran layer intact. Unlike white rice, it is not subjected to refining and polishing process where most of the nutrients are lost. Brown rice is a wholesome grain that contains all the vitamins, minerals, and high amount of fiber. Listed below are some of the amazing health benefits of brown rice.
Health Benefits of Brown Rice
One of the best brown rice benefits is that it aids in weight loss. Brown rich is rich in fiber which makes you feel full sooner and limit you to small meals. Brown rice also improves bowel movement and makes digestion easier.
Brown rice is rich in magnesium which is a vital mineral for bone health. All the dietary magnesium gets stored in the bones, hence it is important to incorporate brown rice in your diet regularly. About 1 cup of brown rice contains nearly 21% of magnesium.
The ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the body is one of the major health benefits of brown rice. Brown rice has naturally occurring oil and it helps maintain a healthy level of cholesterol. Additionally, it has been proven that brown rice increases the concentration of HDL (good cholesterol).
Reduces cholesterol
Sleep is important in order for the body to function properly. Brown rice is rich in the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for inducing sleep. It also relaxes the nerves and improves the sleep cycles. Brown rice is often considered as a treatment option for insomnia.
Health benefit of brown rice also includes it anti-inflammatory properties. They are rich in phytonutrients which possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating brown rich regularly help your body fight inflammation and other infections.
Brown rice benefits also extend to the cardiovascular function in the body. Brown rice is rich in selenium which is essential to maintain a healthy heart. Consuming brown rice regularly prevents plaque buildup and reduces arteries blockage. Brown rice also helps reduce hypertension and other vascular diseases.
Keeping these health benefits of brown rice in mind, choosing brown rice over white rice seems to be a healthier option. Brown rice goes well with regular vegetables, seafood, and chicken. An important fact to note is that brown rice takes longer time to cook than white rice due to the presence of the husk and high fiber content. To enable easy cooking, soak brown rice in water for about 1 hour before cooking.
Adopting a regular brown rice diet is a wiser nutritional choice to make. What are you waiting for? Switch over to brown rice and live a healthier life!