Brown rice: keeps my acne and weight under control
For the past three to four years, I’ve been eating mostly brown rice especially during dinnertime. Because of the increased fiber content that encourages my digestive system to function better, I find that it helped contribute to clearer skin especially during the period when I had a bad acne flare-up. And despite the somewhat bland taste, I continued eating brown rice because it contains amino acids which are very useful in helping rebuild skin tissues.
Contains more nutritional value
For those who don’t know, the difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color. Unlike white rice, brown rice still has its outer covering of bran intact. Only the hull is removed and this process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice. This is why brown rice is classified as an excellent source of manganese, and a good source of the minerals selenium and magnesium. It has three times as much fiber as white rice and the bran layer also contains key minerals which are beneficial to skin health, such as zinc and magnesium.
Provides a powerful source of phytonutrients
More interestingly, research reported at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) International Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer, by Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues at Cornell University shows that brown rice contain many powerful phytonutrients with health-promoting activity equal to or even higher than that of vegetables and fruits (source:WHFoods).
Helps keep weight down
And besides being a great skin food, WHFoods also quoted a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that underscores the importance of choosing whole grains such as brown rice rather than refined grain, i.e., white rice, to maintain a healthy body weight.
In this Harvard Medical School / Brigham and Women’s Hospital study, which collected data on over 74,000 female nurses aged 38-63 years over a 12 year period, weight gain was inversely associated with the intake of high-fiber, whole-grain foods but positively related to the intake of refined-grain foods. Not only did women who consumed more whole grains consistently weigh less than those who ate less of these fiber-rich foods, but those consuming the most dietary fiber from whole grains were 49% less likely to gain weight compared to those eating foods made from refined grains.
Well, this could be the reason why I’ve been so slimmed even though I eat a normal amount of food and I don’t exercise at all.
Try a brown rice detox
If you have acne issues, you may want to consider switching from eating white rice to brown rice. At one point, I actually did a detox and I ate mainly brown rice with simple vegetable dishes. I’m currently using the short grain brown rice from Origins Just Natural Brown Rice from Australia, which does not require me to soak at all. In fact, I cook brown rice like I do with white rice except that I add slightly more water. In the picture you see in this entry, this is what I call the Asian brown rice which looks a lot redder. I don’t cook this variety but this is something I order when I’m out eating at some vegetarian stalls that offer choices of white and brown rice.
Get use to the taste
Having eaten brown rice for a few years now, I actually love eating it. The taste is something you’ll get used to quickly and it isn’t all that bad. However, I’ve got to admit that certain dishes do not taste that great with brown rice. Curry is a prime example!
So are any of you eating brown rice regularly and loving it?
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Hmm, interesting! Thanks Sesame, I know my family won’t easily switch over from white rice to brown rice just because of my acne so I think I’ll try eating brown rice once I enter college #k8SjZc9Dxk#k8SjZc9Dxk
My gripe about eating brown rice is that it can’t be eaten straight out of the fridge like white rice. Brown rice needs to microwaved with a little water or else it comes out hard and dry.
I have a MIL who is vegetarian and she always cooks whole grain rice. not necessarily brown. she always uses a mix of rice – brown/basmati/quinoa/barley etc. sometimes she adds some nuts into them to change up the flavours. the only “problem” with whole grain rice is that it needs some soaking for it to taste nice and fluff after cooking.
Hi Sesame.,
That is a healthy way of eating. I was worried only about the cooking time for brown rice. Can you tell me where to buy Origins Just Natural Brown Rice??
I would like to give a try after reading your post
I can see the issue…it’s hard with a larger family because of different preferences.
You mean after it’s cooked and you need to leave it in the fridge? Yes, they tend to harden more.
I agree that they taste better when soaked. Although I usually cook mine without soaking and it’s good to eat, it can do better with a couple hours of soaking. Oh and I love basmati!
I get it from NTUC supermarket…it’s available at Cold Storage too. The cooking time is actually the same but if you want it to taste better, it’ll be good if you soak the rice for about 2 – 3 hours prior to cooking.
Great post! I noticed my skin looks better when I opt for oatmeal for breakfast most mornings. I wonder if it has the same effect. I need to get back on brown rice again, even though the rest of the fam eats white.
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Not because of health reasons, but I enjoy brown rice over white rice as it makes for a more interesting taste and texture ? White rice is a bit too starchy tasting for my liking.
For those new to brown rice, it might be a good idea to start off with 50%-50% brown and white rice respectively and to up the ratio of the former gradually for an easier transition ?
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That’s a great tip! Beginning with a mix of brown and white rice would help to ease the taste.
Yes! Oatmeal is another great beautyfood. Unfortunately, I’m not into eating it.
I agree with you! When I ate brown rice, an egg, vegetables, and one meat everyday, coupled with exercise, I lost some 10 kg.
I love the taste of brown rice! In fact, i don’t really like the taste of white rice. But brown rice is more heaty so please drink more water ?
Wow, that’s impressive!
Oh yes, that’s what I was told! If I’m not wrong, the water will help to prevent constipation too. Hee…
Hi Sesame, what’s the difference between the asian brown rice versus the australian ones (looks and nutritional-wise)?
my regular cycle used to be every 3 days. but ever since i switched to brown rice & wholemeal bread about 8 years ago, it’s been a daily affair! i believe it has to do with how much softer the rice is, compared to white rice, making it easier to digest hence the ease in the bodily function. also, i tend to eat less brown rice as opposed to white rice, since i feel fuller faster. i believe this is the reason why my weight has been rather consistent these many years, though if i put more effort into exercising, i’m sure i’ll be slimmer ?
Hi Marilyn, actually the term “Asian brown rice” is just my take and I think it is known as red rice (some looking quite red). My understanding is that the nutritional value is almost the same as the brown rice (all brown) except that red rice has 2x the amount of iron and 6 times the amount of zinc. But the key difference seems to be the taste. I can’t describe the differences in taste too well…but I like both.
I haven’t noticed if brown rice makes me fuller quickly…but it definitely makes sense cos of the increased fiber content. I definitely like the idea of daily loo visiting. ?
I can also testify that I lost weight gradually (noticeable after 2 mths) when I switched from basmathi rice to brown rice. I don’t do any exercise and just eat the same serving portion as when I was taking white rice. I don’t notice the weight loss, until people commented about how much thinner I am. The weighing scale confirmed that. I lost about 4 kg. My mom came to stay with me starting a year ago. For her, it’s a switch from white rice to basmathi to brown rice. She also lost some weight. I really think it’s the brown rice ? We chose brown rice for health reason, and the weight loss is a pleasant surprise bonus!
I have already tried brown rice couple of times and it does make me feel better than white rice but suddenly I noticed that my stomach used to feel very heavy after the meals and it gave me acidity issues so I had to discontinue brown rice!!!
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Oh it gave you acidity issues? That’s a shame!
Yeah, I think that’s why my son doesn’t grow fat no matter what he eats. He’s been on brown rice since he was two! It’s very interesting how just eating brown rice can help one lose weight…
great post, i need to make the switch for sure! trying to get a lot healthier and that would be a quick change
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YES! Super foods! I find the taste of brown rice and wholegrain pasta so much nicer than their white refined counterparts. The difference it makes in weight management is astonishing! I have so many delicious brown rice recipes now, I have never looked back. Thanks for spreading the word! ?
I use rice with outer bran for half a year til now. Fortunately, my family agree to eat this rice in stead of white rice. It need a little more time to cook than usual, and more water. However, I will try soaking it 1-2 hours before cook
Hope you’ll enjoy the switch too! ?
You’re welcome! I just found a new stall that sells all sorts of rice balls in healthy grains. Going to give that a try soon.
Based on experience, soaking makes it fluffier and nicer to eat. We started out soaking but got lazy over time.
Hello Sesame,
I think we have the best brown rice in the market, do not need soaking. Any leftover, when reheat taste just like fresh cook. Please try some.
Andrew
K, I’ll take a look. Thanks!
As far as I know, white rice tastes better than brown rice but of course, the benefits of eating brown rice are much more better than white rice. And to know that brown rice can keeps acne away, women definitely love it! Plus, brown rice also can help in weight loss management!
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Yeah, brown rice are great for skin but acquired for tastebuds…
Hi Sesame,
I couldn’t agree with you more. I used to take only white rice as I couldn’t stand the taste of brown rice. But after finding out about the high sugar content and glycemic index of white rice, I switched to taking only brown rice now and it has helped my acne a lot.
Cheers,
Helen
That’s awesome! I’m glad brown rice has improved your skin. ?
I used to do the ‘healthy’ grains, but even brown rice is no good for me. I do much better on a paleo food plan ( NO grains, only organic veggies, clean, healthy fats and grass fed meat once or twice a week).
I found that all grains, even the beloved brown rice, just won’t cut it if you have blood sugar issues.
If I did eat brown rice, it would only be sprouted brown rice. My aesthetician strongly suggested that I cut out brown rice and wheat and my skin improved greatly, so if anybody out there has chronic skin issues or blood sugar concerns, ask your health provider about how to drop ALL grains. I know it sounds scary, but the truth is out there, people.
Interesting! Cos I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit and wondering if I should also cut down on grains. Maybe I’ll read up more and gradually reduce.
Brown rice does have its own set of advantages vis a vis white rice.We need to understand the benefits which we can gain from brown rice.Here is one piece of article which tells about white rice and brown rice.
https://www.medylife.com/blog/health/brown-rice-white-rice-take-pick/