Tags: Research and Development, Science News and Developments
By Anna Valmero
MUNOZ, NUEVA ECIJA— Aside from carbohydrates, brown rice or pinawa is a good source of protein, calcium and other micronutrients.
Polishing or removing the rice bran removes significant amounts of nutrients in rice because most of them are concentrated in the grain, said Dr. Marissa V. Romero, food scientist at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the awardee of the 2010 Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service for Science and Technology.
These micronutrients in brown rice include thiamine, riboflavin, iron and zinc.
“Polishing rice removes 15 percent of protein; 85 percent of fat; 80 percent of thiamine; 70 percent of riboflavin; and 68 percent niacin. This process also removes 90 percent of calcium, 75 percent of phosphorus and 60 percent of other minerals,” Romero explained.
As a rich source of nutrients, brown rice could help prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes as shown by clinical studies. The extra protein can help the body build muscles; insufficient protein in the diet leads to growth failure and decreased immunity, according to Romero.
Romero further said that health claims on cancer prevention and improved brain metabolism are also associated with eating sprouted or germinated brown rice.
Meanwhile, pigmented rice such as Ballatinao, Dinorado, Calatrava and La Castellana are also said to be rich in phytonutrients or plant chemicals that are beneficial to the body. Benefits of phytonutrients include doses of antioxidants, immune system boost and cellular repair.
“We consume 35 percent of rice in our daily food intake. As such, we should be aware of the quality of rice that we eat as this awareness will lead us to healthier lifestyle and better health,” said Romero, who also leads PhilRice researches on antioxidant-rich pigmented rice and rice bran oil.
Gabby Mabutas and his family started switching from white milled rice to unpolished brown rice over the past year. He said he saw the benefits of eating less rice and feeling more fuller. He also down his intake of merienda and midnight snacks and ate no more than three meals in a day after eating brown rice.
He said his growing kid also benefits from brown rice because she would not be at risk of obesity due to exposure to healthier eating habits early on.
By creating more demand for brown rice, Romero believes that high prices associated with the healthy product would go down.
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