Health Benefits of Rice Bran Oil, Uses And Its Side Effects

Rice bran oil is extracted from the hard outer brown layer of rice after chaff or rice husk. It is well known for its high smoke point of 232 °C i.e. 450 °F and mild flavor, making it fit for high-temperature cooking methods such as stir-frying and deep-frying. In the category of cooking oils, rice bran oil is perhaps the healthiest choice for a number of reasons.

One, it has an ideal balance of polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) and monounsaturated fats (MUFA). Rice Bran Oil has 37 percent polyunsaturated fats and 45 percent monounsaturated fats, almost a 1:1 ratio. Since rice bran oil is made from bran it is rich in Vitamin E, an antioxidant. In comparison to other cooking oils, it is cheap and can be produced in India. Its scientific name is “Oryza Sativa.”It is popular cooking oil in Asian countries, especially Bangladesh, Japan, India and China.

Rice bran oil has a composition which is similar to that of peanut oil, with 45 percent monounsaturated fats, 37percent polyunsaturated fats, and 18 percent saturated fatty acids. Rice bran oil is usually monounsaturated.

Let check out the nutritional value of rice bran oil, a tablespoon of rice bran oil contains 7 grams of monounsaturated fat (three of saturated fat and five of polyunsaturated fat). In comparison, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil generally contains 11 grams of monounsaturated fat (two grams of saturated fat and one gram of polyunsaturated fat).

The physical properties of refined rice bran oil contain: moisture 0.1-0.15%, density 0.913-0.920, iodine value 95-104, free fatty acids 0.15-0.2%, oryzanol1.5-1.8, Tocopherol0.05 and color 10Y+1.0R.

Rice Bran Oil is now known to be a mixture of stearyl and other triterpene esters of ferulic acids. It also contains comparatively high fractions of tocopherols and tocotrienols together known as Vitamin E and is rich in other phytosterols.

Rice bran oil is edible oil which is generally used in the preparation of vegetable ghee. Rice bran wax which is obtained from rice bran oil and palpanese extract is usually used as a substitute for carnauba wax in cosmetics, confectionery, shoe creams, and polishing compounds. Rice bran oil is most commonly used as a dietary supplement and is useful in cholesterol management and prevention of cancer.

It also helps in weight loss and in maintaining overall health. Additional benefits of rice bran oil are - it supports liver health, tackles menstruation problems, and has antioxidant effects. Rice bran oil is also used as a raw material in soap and candle production.

Increasing the amount of bran in the diet can cause unpredictable bowel movements, intestinal gas, and stomach discomfort. Rice bran oil is considered very safe for most people when added to baths, but, it can be the reason for itching and skin redness.

Research has found that people have experienced rash and itching from rice bran infested with a pest called the straw itch mite, but this is very rare. Special precautions & warnings are given to pregnant women and breast feeding mothers. Do not use rice bran oil if you have gastrointestinal or GI or conditions or digestive tract problem such as intestinal ulcers, adhesions, conditions that cause narrowing or blockage of the digestive tract, slow digestion, or other stomach or intestinal disorders.

The fiber in rice bran can block your digestive tract. Caution must be followed if you have trouble swallowing as the fiber it contains might cause choking.

Increasing the amount of bran in the diet can cause unpredictable bowel movements, intestinal gas, and stomach discomfort. Rice bran oil is considered very safe for most people when added to baths, but, it can be the reason for itching and skin redness.

Research has found that people have experienced rash and itching from rice bran infested with a pest called the straw itch mite, but this is very rare. Special precautions & warnings are given to pregnant women and breast feeding mothers. Do not use rice bran oil if you have gastrointestinal or GI or conditions or digestive tract problem such as intestinal ulcers, adhesions, conditions that cause narrowing or blockage of the digestive tract, slow digestion, or other stomach or intestinal disorders.

The fiber in rice bran can block your digestive tract. Caution must be followed if you have trouble swallowing as the fiber it contains might cause choking.