White Rice Vs Brown Rice - Which One Is Healthier?

White rice is originally Brown rice which has been thoroughly refined before it is made available in stores for people. Rice grain in its natural unpolished state is rich in fiber, thiamine, proteins, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Whole rice is also rich in fiber which is good for your digestive system and also aids you to manage your weight effectively. There is a raging debate over the type of rice which is good for your health.

The following are some of the pointers that compare white rice to brown rice:

1. Calorie composition - White rice contains more calories when compared to brown rice. A cup of white rice comprises of 242 calories, while a cup of brown rice comprises of 218 calories. Brown rice is recommended to people who are interested to cut down on their calorie intake as a whole.

2. Carbohydrates and fiber composition - Both brown rice and white rice are rich in carbohydrate. A cup of brown rice comprises 53 grams of carbohydrates and a cup of white rice comprises of 46 grams of the same. But when it comes to fiber content, brown rice contains more fiber. Fiber is known to boost the blood cholesterol level and aids in weight management; therefore, brown rice is more beneficial.

3. Fat and protein composition - In case of fat and protein composition, both types of rice have a low fat composition while a cup of each type of rice contains about 4.5 grams of protein.

4. Vitamins and minerals composition - Brown rice is known to contain more percentage of natural vitamins and minerals when compared to white rice. White rice is thoroughly refined which results in loss of its natural properties. The manufacturers tend to add vitamins and minerals artificially during the processing of the whole rice grain.

5. Glycemic Index - According to studies, foods which have a high glycemic index tend to increase your blood sugar level. Brown rice has a much lower glycemic index than white rice. The average glycemic index of white rice is about 89 while in case of brown rice it's 50.

It can be said that brown rice is much more nutritious than white rice due to its wholesomeness and the higher concentration of nutrients. Brown rice is highly recommended to those people who are health conscious and tend to be careful about their calorie intake.