Rice bran against obesity and hypertension
The new Times they have brought a rhythm of life that has made health problems such as obesity and hypertension generalize. On the one hand, the stresses cause people to be affected by their tension, on the other hand the number of people who carry a sedentary life they have also increased, which translates into a population where overweight is very present.
Now a group of scientists from the University of Seville have found a way to help people suffering from these problems. In particular, they have found a new property in the rice bran It helps fight against hypertension and obesity. And is that according to this group of researchers this product has antidiabetic properties so it is recommended a minimum daily consumption for prevent these health problems.
What is rice bran?
The bran is formed by the outermost layers of the grain, which are normally eliminated in the process of refining white rice before offering it for human consumption. Little by little this product is being slowly introduced into the Spanish market, especially for the feeding of animals. However, for years it has been widely used in Asian countries and in North America for many purposes ranging from the production of oil to the production of flour.
Why now it becomes so interesting for health? Researchers at the University of Seville have discovered that a large number of functional substances are present naturally in rice bran. antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic drugs when they are consumed in small quantities frequently.
Vasodilating properties
According to this study, rice bran has properties that help the vasodilation and favors the resistance of the arteries. This research, which has had teachers María Dolores Herrera and María Álvarez de Sotomayor as leaders in research, has worked with genetic models of rodents with predisposition to obesity and hypertension or to atherosclerosis due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood.
In this study an enzyme extract of rice bran has also been used, which improves the properties of traditional bran as it protects this product from the typical oxidation and increases the concentration of its active principles. By adding this food in their diet was prevented from excessive weight gain and the development of hypertension.
Promising data
This study only has research data of this enzymatic extract of rice bran in animal models. There is still time until the effects of this product are checked humansHowever, researchers believe that the amount a human would have to consume in order to prevent obesity and hypertension should be between 5 and 25 grams a day.
Therefore, while collecting data on the effect of bran on rice in humans, we recall the traditional techniques to prevent these diseases such as eating a balanced and healthy diet with the least amount of fat possible. Similarly reduce sedentary lifestyle and try to bet on a more active lifestyle will always help prevent obesity and hypertension while these researchers continue to seek the benefits of rice bran in humans.
Damián Montero
