Is Rice Bran Oil Healthy? Benefits of Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil is extracted from the bran of the rice grain. Commonly called the husk, it is the brown outer covering that discarded during chaffing of rice, meant for consumption. The bran of rice is a storehouse of nutrients, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are essential for us. This is what makes rice bran oil, a healthy choice.

When it comes to healthy food, Japanese food is considered one of the best. Interestingly, in Japan they advocate, rice bran oil as a healthy oil. Here are some of the benefits of rice bran oil which makes it one of the best oils to be used in cooking.

Benefits of Rice Bran Oil:

Lightens skin: You might find this a little difficult to believe but the science behind this is a component called Oryzanol. This element acts as a natural Sunscreen for the skin. The element causing skin pigmentation or darkening is melanin. Rice bran oil does not lower the melanin content but rather forms a protective barrier in between our skin and the harmful sunlight.

Helps in avoiding the formation of Gall bladder stones. Being a derived oil from the husk of a rice grain, rice brain tends to rich in fibrous characteristics. This adds weight to the digested food and helps in expelling the same easily and effectively.

Is a heart-friendly oil: Recommended by WHO as one of the best oils for lowering cholesterol, hence becoming a heart-friendly oil. Rice bran oil contains antioxidants, which aid in cholesterol elimination while making the absorption of the same difficult.

Saves spoilage and rancidity: Following from the benefit above, antioxidants in the oil extends its shelf life. Additionally, nutritionists and health experts also recommend Rice bran oil for weight loss.

Aids in combating allergies and inflammation: Rice bran oil contains hypoallergenic components, which make this oil inflammatory in nature. Consumption of bran oil helps people with asthma, allergic skin reactions and itches. It helps calm the symptoms.

Revitalizes energy: Rice bran oil has the ability to cleanse the system and while its carbohydrate content (being derived from grains) helps in releasing an amount of energy. This is one of the reasons that rice bran oil can also be used as a salad dressing.

Neutral in taste: An oil as healthy as brand oil, has no taste of its own. From cuisines point of view, this qualifies bran oil for multiple dishes. In fact, the benefits of bran oil, now perceived by consumers as well, have made restaurants change their stand for this oil for healthier cooking.

Most balanced oil: Nutritional institutes and medical research centres have stated that any oil that has a balanced quantity of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and fatty acid in them, would be the best to be consumed. Of all the cooking oils, rice bran oil has come closest to this balance. Hence this is one of the best oils to be consumed.

Cholesterol reduction and Vitamin E: Compared to the most of the popular and edible oils in the world, Rice bran contains the maximum of Oryzanol and Tocotrienols. The former prevents cholesterol absorption. Tocotrieno on the other hand, is a group of vitamins, which can be converted into vitamin E. Vitamin E, is an antioxidant, which is known for its heart-friendly characteristics.

Diabetic solution: With cholesterol control, sugar control becomes inevitable. Moreover, rice bran oil helps in lowering insulin sensitivity. Consequently, it helps in controlling sugar.

High heating point: One of the most interesting features, of rice bran oil its high heating point. This is one of the reasons why rice bran features in most of the households for making fried, sweet and savoury delicacies. It is one of the best ways to ensure that food is enjoyed while keeping the health quotient, intact.

Excellent for skin texture and elasticity: One of the components of bran oil is Squalene. It is one of the known antioxidants and skin emollient. Used in a number of cosmetics, rice bran oil is excellent for skin care.