There is a 98% chance of rice being the most consumed grain in the world. It is, in fact, almost impossible to come across a family that doesn’t eat the grain. If not all, at least one person in the family will be a regular consumer.
An excessive intake of refined carbohydrates has been associated with the development of obesity and other chronic diseases in humans and white rice is known to be a refined carbohydrate with most of its fiber absent. However, countries with the highest rice-eating rates have been found to have low occurrences of the exact conditions or diseases in question.
It therefore makes it easy for one to wonder what exactly rice does to the body. Does it assist in weight loss or adds to it?
Rice is a cereal grain and a staple food that is grown in so many countries. Although it has a series of individual varieties, the white and brown types are the most popular.
READ ALSO: Can Eating Beans Really Make You Grow Taller?
The effects on weight loss are somewhat conflicting because while the brown type has well established effects, white rice doesn’t.
Brown rice is a whole grain that contains fiber and other nutrients that help induce the feeling of fullness, making it possible for one to eat fewer calories at once. This might be why persons who eat it have been shown to weigh less and be at a lower risk of experiencing weight gain. It also gives favorable blood fat levels. However the white type contains very little fiber and so it has not been found to have any association with weight change.
We need to note that any food can bring about weight gain if taken on the high side. Nothing in particular seems to be fattening about rice although various studies have linked both types to weight loss and gain.
In terms of being healthy and nutritious, brown rice comes to mind. For people with blood sugar swings or having diabetes, it is always better to go for the non-sticky type because they have low GI (glycemic index) levels.
The important thing is to watch serving portions (how much you consume) and follow a healthy balanced plan.