What Are the Health Benefits of Rice Bran?
Bran is the hard outer layer or husk of grains such as rice, wheat, and oats. Until recently, rice bran was discarded during the milling process. Research has discovered many health benefits of bran, and this substance now makes for a healthy food byproduct.
Two common methods of rice bran intake are through consumption of whole grains such as brown rice and through rice bran oil. Brown rice is whole grain with only the hull or the outermost layer removed and provides the same benefits as rice bran without the dangers of arsenic that concentrated rice bran may contain. Further processing of brown rice removes the bran and provides white rice, which is much poorer in nutrients. Rice bran contains 10 to 23 percent oil, extractable as rice bran oil to serve as a healthy cooking medium.
Cardiovascular Health
One of the major health benefits of rice bran consumption is the improvement of cardiovascular health.
Preliminary research suggests that rice bran oil lowers cholesterol. Studies on rats conducted at the University of Rochester indicate that consumption of rice bran reduces the total cholesterol level by 42 percent and the LDL or “bad” cholesterol by 62 percent. Further research suggests its applicability to humans also. Another study by Hegsted M et. al published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also attests to the effectiveness of rice bran in lowering blood cholesterol for people with moderately high blood cholesterol concentrations.
Rice bran oil is a rich source of tocotrienols or TRF, which is a type of Vitamin E with great antioxidant powers. TRF, besides neutralizing free radicals that cause cell damage, also inhibits the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that contributes to cholesterol biosynthesis. Rice bran is also rich in compounds such as gamma oryzanol, and beta sitosteryl ferluate, and phytosterols such as beta sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. All these are potent antioxidants that lower blood cholesterol
Cancer
Rice bran health benefits extend to reduced risk of infections and cancer. The beta-carotene, alpha carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeazanthin, and B vitamins inherent in rice bran boost immunity and decrease the risk of cancer.
Ongoing research in the University of Rochester suggests that the TRF in rice bran reacts with liver enzymes to clear toxic substances from the organs, thus reducing the risk of liver tumors.
Intestinal Health
Regular consumption of rice branch improves intestinal health, increasing the ability of the body to absorb more nutrients and eliminate toxins. The fiber in rice bran absorbs undigested food and other elements trapped in the folds of the intestinal linings, contributing to cleanse these folds.
Other Nutrients
Rice bran is rich in a host of other nutrients. Some such nutrients are
- polyphenols such as ferulic acid and alpha-lipoic acid, which serve as antioxidants, and boost sugar metabolism in cells
- magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and other trace minerals. Magnesium promotes nerve and muscles functioning. Calcium and phosphorous contributes to developing healthy bones and teeth.• Phospholipids, to maintain healthy cell membranes
- essential amino acids such as argentine, cysteine, cystine, histidine, methionine, and tryptophan.
Until recently, consumption of rice bran was limited as it turned rancid very fast on extraction; the discovery of stabilized rice bran changed that. Benefits of rice bran and new technology to extract rice bran oil now makes rice bran a popular, inexpensive, tasty, and healthy cooking and baking medium and an important ingredient in healthy eating.
References
- University of Rochester Medical Center. “Can Rice Bran Oil Melt Away Cholesterol?” Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=782 on April 09, 2011.
- Most, Marlene M et al. “Rice bran oil, not fiber, lowers cholesterol in humans.” Utah State University. Retrieved from https://can.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/pub__1151267.pdf on April 09, 2011.
- George Meteljan Foundation. “Brown Rice.” Retrieved from https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=128 on April 09, 2011.
- “Superfood rice bran contains arsenic.” Retrieved from https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14592-superfood-rice-bran-contains-arsenic.html?page=1 on April 09, 2011.
- Dr. Kamen, Betty. “Introducing Stabilized Rice Bran.” Retrieved from https://www.bettykamen.com/stabilizedricebran.htm on April 09, 2011.
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