Is Brown Rice Bad For You?
Short answer
Brown rice is a very heart-healthy whole grain that is loaded with essential nutrients.
Recommended Alternative
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Rice is an important staple in many cuisines. Indeed, in many languages what is translated as “to eat” in English often is really “to eat rice.” Brown rice is named due to its brownish appearance. The process by which brown rice is made involves removing only the outermost layer of the rice kernel. This does the least damage to the nutritional value of the rice and is the reason brown rice is an extremely good choice for those who are health-conscious and prefer a whole grain over a refined grain.
Important nutrients included in brown rice include manganese, selenium, phosphorous, copper, vitamin B3 and various phytonutrients. Manganese, of which 88% of the recommended daily intake is present in brown rice, is a powerful antioxidant that is helpful in energy production. Selenium, an essential nutrient in many metabolic functions, works to keep thyroid hormones in balance and may also be a key factor in preventing cancer.
Other benefits of eating brown rice include weight loss, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and as a way of treating conditions such as diarrhea and other stomach problems. Brown rice may also be used to treat ailments such as jaundice, beriberi, intestinal worms, and even paralysis, but evidence of these claims is less conclusive.
If you are allergic to rice or anything the rice may have come into contact with, you will, of course, want to avoid eating it. However, all told, brown rice is one of the healthiest foods you can have as part of your diet.
Ingredients to be aware of
- arsenic (very low levels)
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mold (when old)
Benefits
- aids weight loss
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fights stomach problems
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boosts energy
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helps prevent cancer
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helps balance metabolic functions
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reduces inflammation
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reduces fever
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treats paralysis
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promotes healthy skin
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Lundberg Rice Cakes
- USDA Organic Certified
- Gluten-Free
- Whole Grain Goodness
- Non-GMO Verified
- Vegan & Kosher
Learn More!
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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