What is Rice Bran Oil?
Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the hard outer brown layer of rice after chaff (rice husk). It is notable for its high smoke point of 232 °C (450 °F) and its mild flavour, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking methods such as stir frying and deep frying. This oil internationally is recognized as health oil and in Japan called Heart Oil. This oil is the only cooking medium which has an ideal SFA/MUFA/PUFA and Essential Fatty Acid ratio which is closer to the recommended levels of WHO. A number of scientific studies have confirmed that using Rice Bran Oil as a cooking medium could significantly reduce the bad cholesterol without adversely affecting the good cholesterol due to presence of a unique component in this oil known as “Oryzanol” which is not found in any other vegetable oil.
National Institute of Nutrition in its Dietary guidelines has mentioned that Oryzanol found in Rice Bran Oil is helpful in reducing:
- Cholesterol
- Oxidative damage due to ageing
- Inflammation which occur in chronic diseases.
In response to a RTI, ref no. D/RTI/2009/039, the National Institute of Nutrition has confirmed several health benefits of Oryzanol referring to various Scientific Studies, which are as follows:
- One of the most important properties of the oryzanol is its cholesterol lowering property. There are several studies in human and animals showing that the oryzanol content of the Rice Bran Oil has the property of lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol. In addition, oryzanol also decrease plasma triglyceride levels.
- Oryzanol is also a potent antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of oryzanol has been shown to be 10 times higher than that of tocopherols. High content of oryzanol provides oxidative stability to rice bran oil and improve its shelf life.
- Oryzanol has a protective role in ultraviolet light induced lipid peroxidation and hence it is used as sunscreen agent in cosmetics.
Why only Rice Bran Oil?
- Rice Bran Oil has the best balance of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as recommended by such organizations as the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. It’s the oil of choice for improving serum cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
- It has Tocopherol (Vitamin E), an antioxidant which reduces the incidence of stroke, reduces coronary blockage and helps in balancing the nervous system. Tocotrienols inhibit platelet aggregation and growth of human breast cancer cell. It has anti thrombotic and anti cancer properties.
- The lipoic acid in Rice Bran stabilises blood sugar levels and reduces the damage in body caused by excess sugar.
- Rice bran supplements could lower blood pressure.
- It has squalene, an antioxidant present in Rice Bran which improves skin tone and delays wrinkle formation. It also acts as an anti dandruff and anti itching agent.
- It has 4 hydroxy 3 methoxycinnamic acid which stimulates hormonal secretion and rejuvenates health.
It contains IP6, a chelating and antioxidant agent has beneficial bio-active functions such as the prevention of urinary calculi, the improvement of immune system and anti cancer action. - It is a potent mutagen and even after heating to higher temperatures of 180 c, does not exhibit mutagenic activity.
- The viscosity of this oil is very light and the flavor delicate. Foods cooked with Rice Bran Oil absorb up to 15-20% less oil! Less oil absorbed results in reduced calories, better, lighter tasting food and enhanced flavor and palatability. Less oil absorbed also makes it more economical.
- Rice Bran Oil is hypoallergenic. For those who have intolerance to other cooking oils this is an excellent alternative.
- Rice bran oil has a very high smoke (burn) point, making it perfect for deep frying, pan or stir frying and is a premium choice for the replacement of hydrogenated oil containing trans fat as this has Zero Trans fat.
- Rice bran oil creates less polymers than other oils meaning better flavor and easier clean-up.
- Health aspect of rice bran oil is not highlighted as much as it should have been done this is where the market is in terms of the total awareness, be it as a hypocholesterolenic, antiviral, antioxidant and anticancer effect, or even a scavenging effect of carcinogens. All these need to be highlighted.
Expert Views on active use of RBO
Dr. V. Parkash, Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore
Rice bran oil, obtained from rice bran a byproduct of rice milling, is a unique edible oil with nutritionally desirable attributes compared to other edible oils, its fatty acids composition is nearer to that recommended by nutritionists ideal for edible purpose. It has cholesterol lowering property attributed to oryzanol, a minor constituent, present in the oil. It contains minute quantities of nutritionally valuable constituents, such as tocopherols, sterols squalene etc., which are important for promotion and maintenance of good health.
Dr. A.B. Afzalpurkar, Dy. Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad
Rice bran oil enjoy the status of a health food from a cardiovascular view point and routine use of rice bran oil can be recommended as a sole cooking medium.
Dr. Parveen Chandra, MD, DM, Consultant Cardiologist, Escort Heart Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi
Rice Bran Oil will be the cooking medium of first choice and preference to bypass, bypass the dietary way.
Dr. Shashank R. Joshi, MD, DM, FICP, FICN, Endocrinologist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Rice Bran Oil has many health benefits which have been proved by world renowned institutions. These benefits will be discussed in the article in the next update.
