Why Brown Rice Is Healthier Than White

Brown rice doesn't taste as good but is nutritionally superior to white rice

Brown Rice

There has been constant debate over white rice versus brown rice for decades. Although white rice seems to be a favourable choice for the majority of people for its appetising taste and appearance, brown rice wins hands-down when it comes to health benefits. Says holistic health guru Mickey Mehta, "Brown rice is healthier since the refining process only removes the hull of the rice kernel, leaving its nutrition intact. On the other hand, the milling and polishing used to make rice white, strips off its essential nutrients and vitamins."

Technically speaking...
A cup of brown unpolished rice contains 88 per cent of manganese, 27.3 per cent of selenium, 20.9 per cent of magnesium, 18.7 per cent of tryptophan and only 12 per cent calories. The conversion of rice from brown to white destroys about 60 per cent of iron, 80 per cent of vitamin B1, 67 per cent of vitamin B3, 90 per cent of vitamin B6, 60 per cent of iron and almost half the phosphorous, manganese and dietary fibre naturally present in the rice.

Nutritious and wholesome
Packed with natural oils, brown rice is extremely heart-friendly. Due to its fibrous concentration, brown rice facilitates healthy bowel movement and promotes weight-loss.

A cup of brown rice fulfils about 80 per cent of the daily requirement of manganese in the body. Manganese helps in the formation of healthy cholesterol. Brown rice improves metabolism and keeps you feeling fuller for a long time.

Replacing white rice with brown rice in your diet can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Says Mickey Mehta, "Like wheat, brown rice is also a type of whole-grain. Organically grown wild brown rice is the best as it is packed with all the essential nutrients and vitamins."

Brown Rice Nutrion Facts
Brown rice is whole grain rice. It has a mild, nutty flavor, and is chewier and more nutritious than white rice, but goes rancid more quickly because the bran and germ—which are removed to make white rice—contain fats that can spoil.

Nutrition Facts
Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked
Amount Per 100 grams
Calories 111
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.9 g 1%
Saturated fat 0.2 g 1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 5 mg 0%
Potassium 43 mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 23 g 7%
Dietary fiber 1.8 g 7%
Sugar 0.4 g
Protein 2.6 g 5%
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 1% Iron 2%
Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 5%
Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 10%
*Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.