Learn how this grain prevents diseases and helps you lose weight.

You may have heard that to lose weight it is essential to cut rice from the diet. But following the advice of Japanese sages, who consume the grain in most of their meals, the idea is exactly the opposite. The grain, in addition to helping with weight loss, is very nutritious and, according to some experts, prevents a large number of diseases.

According to the author of the book A Dieta do Arroz (JBC Editor), Heloísa Bernardes, following a balanced diet and including rice-based recipes on the menu, it is possible to prevent diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and multiple sclerosis. In addition, it is possible to have a more beautiful and youthful skin using rice-based cosmetics.

“Rice is the only food that balances sodium and potassium in the body, which helps eliminate fluid,” explains the author. According to Heloísa, food is especially important for hypertensive people and pregnant women, since fluid retention is greater in these cases. But Heloísa warns that to be medicinal, rice must be chewed very well. “Perhaps the great secret for this food to be used as a medicine is in chewing, since by involving the rice with saliva, we produce interferon, an anti-cancer substance”, explains the author.

Brown rice is even more nutritious. Due to the fibers, its digestion is easy. And it is also rich in other nutrients. “Iron oxide, potassium phosphoric acid, magnesium, manganese, calcium salts, sulfur, are some examples of the nutritional power of brown rice”, says Heloísa.

Curiosities

According to Heloísa, rice gave rise to the cosmetic tradition of the East when opera and oriental theater actors began to use it in the preparation of their masks. Hence the name rice powder, which until today is used in cosmetic bases and makeup that give uniformity to the skin. In Japan, rice is the basis of masks to brighten and moisturize the skin. “Due to its amount of ferrulic acid, it has a potential for lightening stains”, explains the author.

Rice mask recipe

To leave the skin hydrated and with an even color, Heloísa Bernardes teaches a recipe for a rice-based face mask:

Cook some rice until it is sticky, much longer than just eating. Let it cool and knead it with your hands. Add some rosemary tea, or basil. Continue kneading until it becomes a paste. Spread the paste on your face and let it act for about 10 minutes, keeping your eyes closed. Remove and wash your face with water. Also according to Heloísa, preparing a mixture of rice, olive oil and green tea is a holy remedy to soften tantrums.