Is brown rice really that much better than white rice?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm not too sure how to tell between simple carbs and complex carbs based off of the nutrition label, but as far as fiber goes, white rice usually has 0g while most brown rice that I've seen has just 1g. So is there really much of a health benefit to brown rice over white?

 

[Kipper]

Well, yes and no. If you switch to white rice will you be guaranteed a free ticket from all diet-related ills? No. Of course not.

But it does contain a fair amount of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. White rice is basically pure starch with a tad bit of protein (not enough to matter). So yes, there is a benefit to brown rice, but it will not make or break a diet.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Vitamins and minerals are usually the reason why brown rice is stressed over white rice. White rice is usually termed "empty calories" due to calories without vitamins or other helpful compounds.

 

[alpineranger]

Absence of vitamins and minerals are also the reason why white rice exists. By removing these components, the food has a much longer storage life. As this is not much of a concern for consumers in developed countries, the primary reasons why one would chose white rice are preference (some people don't like the taste and texture of brown), or economic reasons (brown rice tends to be more expensive). As far as health reasons go, there is no benefit from white rice.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Absence of vitamins and minerals are also the reason why white rice exists. By removing these components, the food has a much longer storage life. As this is not much of a concern for consumers in developed countries, the primary reasons why one would chose white rice are preference (some people don't like the taste and texture of brown), or economic reasons (brown rice tends to be more expensive). As far as health reasons go, there is no benefit from white rice.

Your "health reasons" comment is not true at all. Many people don't get proper amounts of vitamins and nutrients. White rice is practical, I understand that. It's also tastier, but don't say it doesn't have its pro's. That would be a lie.