For many years now, people have become more aware of the health benefits that come from adding brown rice to their diet, and many studies have found that it is actually healthier than white rice. Brown rice is unrefined and unpolished, which means that this whole-grain gets to retain all the nutrients that are stripped from white rice. There are many different variants of brown rice in today’s market, and each of them offers its own flavor and aroma. These are some of the benefits that come from brown rice.
To begin with, brown rice is a very rich source of antioxidant nutrients, and they protect us against damage caused by oxygen free radicals. The most important antioxidant enzyme we can find in brown rice is called superoxide dismutase, and it protects our cells from oxidation damage when energy is being produced. Several studies have found that brown rice is more efficient than white rise when it comes to antioxidant activity, and brown rice can even prevent us from oxidation-mediated diseases, including coronary heart disease.
Brown rice is an important part of weight control diets, and people who are fighting obesity can benefit greatly from this grain. Brown rice is a rich source of manganese, a mineral that helps our body synthesize fats. Besides, it enhances glutathione peroxidase activity, which is an antioxidant enzyme that helps increase levels of HDL or positive cholesterol in individuals with obesity.
Keeping a healthy digestive system is one of the most important aspects of leading a healthy lifestyle and adding brown rice to our daily diet can help us achieve this. Brown rice is a rich source of fibers, which helps regulate bowel function and keeps us feeling full and satisfied with our meals. Besides, fiber can also help us feel relief from several digestive conditions, such as constipation and colitis.
Germinated brown rice, which is one of the most popular variants of brown rice, has shown to have anti-depressant qualities, helping us fight anxiety-related disorders. This is because brown rice contains a wide variety of essential amino acids, including glutamine, glycerin, and GABA, which reduce messages in the brain associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. As a result, when we add brown rice to our diet, this will help us get a relaxed feeling of well-being.
Last but not least, brown rice might be the perfect solution for those who suffer from insomnia since it is a rich source of melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone. When we have high levels of this hormone, we tend to experience better quality sleep, as it relaxes our nerves and increases the sleep cycle altogether. Therefore, if we have had problems when trying to sleep, adding brown rice to our diet might help us solve this issue.
