Magazines and newspapers often have scores of conflicting and confusing information surrounding cooking oils. This makes picking the right kind for your family’s health and well-being quite the uphill task. With a plethora of options before you, an oil that can adapt to your cooking needs while providing the most amount of health benefits is an ideal choice. And we’re here to tell you that rice bran oil might just be it. It has a mild, nutty flavor that lends itself well to everything from curries and grilled patties to salads and even desserts. And considering the fact that it’s extracted from the nutritious husk of rice, it packs in the health benefits as well. Here are all the reasons why we think rice bran oil deserves a permanent spot on your kitchen shelf.
Keeps Your Heart In Check
It’s no secret that keeping your heart healthy is vital whether you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, are at risk of it, or simply want to stay fit. A healthy weight and a physically active life will get you halfway there. But your diet is key to achieving good heart health. Here’s where rice bran oil comes in. It is a well-balanced oil with the right mix of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids, which don’t increase the buildup of LDL “bad” cholesterol in your body. In doing so, rice bran oil maintains balance in the levels of LDL and HDL “good” cholesterol in your body. When they are off-balance, your risk of heart disease increases. Research has also found that rice bran oil contains oryzanol, a component that has been studied widely for its potential to act as a potent antioxidant and lower the absorption of cholesterol.1 And that’s not all. Studies have also found that rice bran oil prevents the buildup of platelets, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.2 Healthy fatty acids, oryzanol, and an overall balanced platelet count together can keep your heart in good shape.3
Helps You Look 10 Years Younger
As we age, our skin struggles to maintain that youthful glow. And while external applications might certainly help, we’re strong believers of the old adage “beauty comes from within.” True to this, researchers have found that the oryzanol and vitamin E in rice bran oil heal skin damage caused due to sun exposure. Sun damage can lead to pesky sun spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and discoloration. These benefits don’t stop there. Research has found that the oryzanol in rice bran oil boosts capillary growth. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in our bodies and are responsible for transporting nutrients and wastes to and from the body’s tissues in a process that’s more commonly known as blood circulation. And as capillaries grow, they increase blood circulation and give the skin a natural, youthful glow. In fact, this glow is quite similar to that seen post-exercise and in pregnant women.4 Not to mention, the fact that capillaries decline in number as we age could be why we lose this glow as we get older. Besides, rice bran oil has a low comedogenic rating of 2, making it ideal to use topically as well, should you wish to. All benefits considered, rice bran oil makes a great addition to any skincare routine.5 6
Eases Pesky Hot Flashes During Menopause
The end of childbearing years can be exhausting to cope with, to say the least. With your hormones wreaking havoc, mood swings, sleep difficulties, and fatigue are a regular occurrence. Also common, hot flashes. In fact, studies have found that up to 80% of women going through menopause experience hot flashes and can last for years. Researchers have found that the oryzanol in rice bran oil prevents the secretion of luteinizing hormone in the body.7 High levels of this hormone trigger hot flashes in menopausal women. This makes rice bran oil a potential natural alternative to conventional treatment options for hot flashes.8
Protects Your Body Against Cancer
As with any other disease, when it comes to cancer, prevention is better than cure. This means getting regular screenings, looking out for any unusual changes in your health, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking. Including rice bran oil in your diet might also be an effective way of preventing cancer.9 Studies have found that rice bran oil is rich in beta-sitosterol, a chemical found in plants, which prevents the growth of and promotes the death of, breast cancer cells. It was also found to reduce oxidative damage, one of the root causes of cancer development, and keep gastrointestinal cancers at bay.10 That’s not all, researchers have also found that the vitamin E in rice bran oil prevented the development of cancerous nodules in the liver.11 Going by these studies, cooking with rice bran might help you stay clear of certain types of cancer.12
Once you’ve zeroed in on rice bran oil as the cooking oil of your choice, the real challenge is to find a high-quality oil that is processed in hygienic conditions. We recommend going with old-school manufacturers like Fortune Foods that have had a stellar reputation for producing high-quality cooking oils that are good for you for over a decade. Even better? Fortune Rice Bran Health oil comes with added vitamins A and D to ensure you meet your recommended daily requirements and stay healthy. And so the next time you’re confused about which brand to go with while perusing the cooking oil aisles, go for Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil so you can rest assured of its quality and all the health benefits you can reap from it.
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