White rice: properties, benefits and harm

Rice is a popular cereal crop, because two thirds of the world's population begin their day with a rice breakfast. Porridges are a type of food that Russians love very much, and most often they are made from rice.

Rice is one of the oldest cultures used by man for food.In ancient times, he was a wild plant. But residents of East and South Asia drew attention to this unusual grass and made it a truly home culture. Since that time, many different varieties of rice have been bred. For example, black, red, brown, brown, white, and wild rice can be distinguished.

Our compatriots prepare various dishes from this cereal. They eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The most popular in Russia is the white variety. The fact is that it is the easiest to grow, which means it is more accessible. White rice has a special taste that goes well with many other products and dishes from them.

White rice, in turn, is divided into subspecies, depending on its shape.

• Round - most often used for sushi, and also acts as a filling for baking. It has the ability to stick together, become creamy. Needs plenty of boiling water.
• Middle Bean - is an ingredient for soups, risotto and paella. This rice becomes soft in the process of cooking, stick together, but not much. Able to absorb flavors. Also needs plenty of water.
• Long grain - becomes the basis for pilaf, salads and other side dishes. Keeps its shape and does not stick together during heat treatment. Does not need a lot of water for cooking.

White rice is different in that its grains undergo processing and grinding after assembly - this gives them a smooth surface, improves taste, increases shelf life and speeds cooking. However, in the process of grinding, the grits lose many of their positive properties, which is why it is the least useful in their rice family.

In recent years, brown cereals are gaining special popularity in Russia. At the time of preparation, it is a whole grain, retaining healthy fibers, bran and nutritious sprouts. His white brother loses all of this in the process of thorough cleaning. Accordingly, the brown version is richer in nutrients.

Before proceeding to the description of the beneficial effects, it is necessary to talk about the elements that the product retains after processing.

100 g of this cereal contains 79 g of carbohydrates, 6.7 g of proteins and only 0.7 g of fat. Its caloric content is 344 kcal.

Among carbohydrates, there are complex representatives that affect the energy balance of the body. Also, cereals are rich in fiber.

Of the vitamins in rice are:

• vitamin E;
• vitamin H;
• vitamin PP;
• Vitamin B group: B1, B2, B4 (known as choline), B5, B6.

Do not forget about the many minerals:

• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• iron;
• sodium;
• manganese;
• copper;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• selenium;
• zinc.

Refined rice does not contain gluten - many people suffer from it.

There are several useful properties of such a culture. They will be discussed below.

• Sates with energy. As mentioned above, the composition of the white culture are complex carbohydrates. Together with proteins, starch and a sufficient number of calories, they provide the body with the necessary supply of energy, so rice is so often consumed for breakfast to stock up on strength for the whole day.
• Useful for shapes. Properly cooked rice helps to lose weight. But misuse can have the opposite effect. For example, do not eat it with fatty oils, sauces and additives. Rice contains a considerable amount of calories, so it needs to be steamed so that it loses most of them. Also, do not add sugar to it.
• Lowers cholesterol. There are no harmful fats in rice. As a result of its use, the level of cholesterol is maintained within the required norm.
• Normalizes pressure. White rice has a high content of amino acids and potassium with a low level of salt. This composition allows to normalize high blood pressure. Of course, rice cannot replace medicines. But in combination with each other, they produce a striking effect. White rice is rich in potassium, which displaces sodium and excess water from the body, so that blood pressure returns to normal.
• A positive effect on the skin. This cereal can be used not only in food - it is often used in cosmetology. Starch and B vitamins have a rejuvenating and revitalizing effect on the skin, so white rice often becomes the basis for masks, after which the face is smoothed, bleached and softened. Also, rice flour is added to the powder to absorb excess skin fat.

• Improves digestive processes. For the proper functioning of the digestive system, the most important are substances such as starch, fiber, calcium and riboflavin. All of them are contained in sufficient quantity in white rice. In case of violations of work, they normalize all processes, helping to cope with irritable bowels.
• Copes with diarrhea. White rice decoction produces astringent effect. With proper preparation of this cereal is able to establish a chair. The most important role in this matter is starch and potassium. Many doctors advise to prepare such a decoction for young children who often have problems with the chair. In addition, potassium helps to cope with constipation.
• Prophylactic Alzheimer's disease. As scientists have found, in the composition of white cereal (especially untreated) there is a set of chemical elements corresponding to the sterol molecules. Thanks to them, the cereal is able to stimulate the work of neurotransmitters. As a result, the risk of developing symptoms characteristic of Alzheimer's disease is reduced.
• Prophylactic agent of oncological diseases. The fibers in the rice can prevent the formation and development of cancer cells. In addition, phenolic and flavonoid compounds in combination with natural antioxidants protect the body from the effects of free radicals.

But no matter how useful the product is, it has a certain degree of harm. Even such a harmless thing as dishes from cereals, which are constantly on our table, can have a negative impact on the human body.

However, the list of their harmful properties is not so wide.

• People suffering from obesity or prone to corpulence, should use white rice culture with caution. It contains a considerable amount of calories and in combination with other high-calorie foods can negatively affect the figure.
• Regular consumption of rice increases the chances of earning diabetes. The problem is the high glycemic index of this cereal.
• You can not eat this grass too often - it dehydrates the body and can cause constipation.

About the benefits of white rice tells Elena Malysheva in the next issue of the program "To live healthy!"