In light of the global health crisis, people these days are becoming more conscious of their health. Aside from staying active and practicing good personal hygiene, you can also eat certain kinds of food to boost your health and immune system. These are known as superfoods. They get their name because not only are they packed with minerals, vitamins and other nutrients ⁠— they also have numerous health benefits that can help you live a full and energized life. Some examples of these are acai berries, kale, pomegranate, and chia seeds.

In this post, let’s put the spotlight on an underrated superfood that needs a lot of love: brown rice.

Brown rice is packed full of fiber

Most grains are rich in fiber. But the amount of fiber varies depending on what kind of grain you consume. With a cup of brown rice, you get at least 14 percent of the daily fiber you need. Because brown rice has such a high amount of fiber, it can reduce high cholesterol levels and can help you prevent atherosclerosis. In addition, the fiber content in brown rice can also help protect you against colon cancer since fiber sticks to cancer-causing chemicals and prevents them from sticking to the lining in your colon.

Brown rice can help you lose weight

Brown rice contains a lot of fiber and lecithin, making it the perfect grain for those who want to lose weight. In addition, this superfood only has 216 calories per cup. A recent study highlights how whole-grain foods such as brown rice can help reduce subjective hunger, which can help people lose weight gradually over time and reduce their risk for obesity and weight gain.

Brown rice is easy to prepare

What makes brown rice special is that it’s a whole grain and less processed than your typical white rice. However, the extra layer of germ, bran, and endosperm make it a little more challenging to prepare. If you want perfectly cooked brown rice all the time, you can choose to buy a handy rice cooker. Today’s rice cookers are loaded with tons of functions and features that allow them to perfectly cook brown rice, as well as help you prepare other rice dishes with ease. If you prefer cooking brown rice the old-fashioned way, be sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove the excess starch. Also, don’t forget the golden water ratio, which is 2 cups of water for every cup of brown rice.

Brown rice can help keep your heart healthy

Brown rice is rich in a phytonutrient called plant lignans. When consumed, these are converted by the good bacteria in our intestines into mammalian lignans. These have been known to prevent heart disease such as atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque through your blood vessels, as well as stenosis, which is the diminishing of the diameter of your arterial passageways. By making sure that you consume superfoods such as brown rice on a regular basis, you can keep your heart healthy and worry less about your health.

For more brands that can help you stay healthy and live a wholesome and ethically responsible lifestyle, be sure to check our clients and services here at Tree of Life.

 

Post solely for the use of treeoflife.ca

Written by Jerrie Kaye