India is a land of diverse cultures and cuisines, but one thing that unites all households is the use of cooking oil. With a wide range of options available in the market, choosing the right cooking oil for your family’s health can be a daunting task. Rice bran oil, with its numerous health benefits, has emerged as a popular choice among health-conscious Indian households. It is suitable for traditional Indian dishes, Asian & Continental dishes, and dressings for salads.
Rice bran oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the outer layer of rice grains. It has gained popularity in recent years as a healthy cooking oil option due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. For India, rice bran oil will become an important part of many households.
Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E and gamma oryzanol, which help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. This is important for maintaining good health as oxidative stress is a major cause of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Speaking at the recently held International Conference on Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO), Dr. Rohini Sharma, Ph. D. Food Science and Nutrition, Consultant Food Technologist, Consultant Nutritionist, and Life Coach said, “Rice Bran Oil is a very healthy oil and more people should know the benefits of using the Rice Bran Oil. Rice Bran Oil has a balanced fatty profile with PUFA and MUFA in the ratio of 1:1, and very low saturated fatty acids. It is rich in nutraceuticals – Oryzanol, tocopherol, and tocotrienols which are natural Antioxidants. Gamma-Oryzanol present in Rice Bran Oil reduces Bad Cholesterol (LDL) and maintains Good Cholesterol (HDL). Furthermore, rice bran oil has a high smoke point, which means that it can be used for high-temperature cooking, such as deep frying, as it remains stable and retains nutrients at high temperatures, ideal for cooking food in the Indian Kitchen. We suggest people shift to rice bran oil for daily cooking and make a healthier choice.”
Health Benefits of Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that provide numerous health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of rice bran oil
· Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Rice bran oil is rich in plant sterols, which have been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. This helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
· Improves Heart Health: The high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in rice bran oil can help to reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood lipid levels and reducing inflammation in the body.
· Helps with Weight Loss: Rice bran oil contains compounds that can help to boost metabolism and increase fat burning. This makes it a useful addition to a weight loss diet.
· Supports Brain Health: The vitamin E and gamma-oryzanol in rice bran oil have been shown to improve cognitive function and memory. This makes it a valuable addition to the diet, especially for older adults.
· Anti-inflammatory Properties: The high levels of antioxidants in rice bran oil can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a major cause of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.
Adding to this, Dr. Sheryl Salis, Registered Dietician (RD), Certified Diabetes Educator, Insulin Pump Specialist, and Founder -of Nurture Health Solutions, said, “We recommend people to use Rice Bran Oil, as it is Made in India and ideally suited to our Indian palate. The National Institution of Nutrition (NIN), ICMR, WHO, and several heart organizations have regularly promoted the use of Rice Bran Oil. In clinical practice, we are witnessing a lot of young people suffering from diabetes and heart diseases. We are constantly copying Western countries and are not focusing on our own products like Rice bran oil, which offers immense health benefits and is ideal for Indian household daily usage. We recommend people to lead an active lifestyle and eat food cooked in rice bran oil to lead a healthy life.”
Adding to this Mr. P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Freedom Rice Bran Oil said, “According to experts, physically refined rice bran oil contains over 10,000+ parts per million (PPM) of Oryzanol. Oryzanol helps to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body by blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestines. This helps to lower bad cholesterol levels and maintain good cholesterol levels in the body, which is essential for maintaining heart health. Also, tocopherol in rice bran oil is important because it can help to increase the oil’s antioxidant properties, making it even more beneficial for human health. Freedom Rice Bran Oil is also stable at high temperatures and has a neutral taste, making it the best choice for Traditional Indian Cooking. Rice bran oil is healthy oil suitable for the Indian household’s daily cooking needs. Therefore, we urge people to #Switch to Freedom for a healthy life.”
In conclusion, rice bran oil is an important cooking oil option for Indian families due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. Its antioxidant properties, unique fatty acid profile, and rich vitamin and mineral content make it a healthy choice for cooking. In India, where heart disease and diabetes are prevalent, switching to rice bran oil can be particularly beneficial. The high levels of antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamin E in rice bran oil make it a great choice for reducing the risk of heart disease and other chronic ailments.
