Brown Rice and Cardiovascular Protection

Rice is generally thought to be a healthy addition to the diet because it is a source of fiber. However, not all rice is equally nutritious, and brown rice has an advantage over white rice by offering protection from high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, say researchers at the annual 2010 Experimental Biology conference.

A component in a layer of tissue surrounding grains of brown rice may work against angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is an endocrine protein and a known culprit in the development of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

The subaleurone layer of Japanese rice, which is located between the white center of the grain and the brown fibrous outer layer, is rich in oligosaccharides and dietary fibers, making it particularly nutritious. However, when brown rice is polished to make white rice, the subaleurone layer is stripped away and the rice loses some of its nutrients. The subaleurone layer can be preserved in half-milled rice or incompletely-milled rice.

Bonnie - we know that brown rice is much more healthful than white rice, however, it is nice to see the data to back it up.