Fitness
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Potential Benefits of the Brown Rice Diet?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

People who choose to follow the brown rice diet have the potential to realize a variety of health benefits. Most obviously, the plan is designed to help people lose weight; in addition to being low in calories, the diet allows for a certain amount of variety in foods, and the foods allowed typically keep dieters feeling full, making it easier to follow than some other diets. It can help to detoxify the body, which can contribute to overall physical health. The brown rice diet can also help some people to naturally address weight-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

As with any diet, the primary benefit of the brown rice diet for most people is weight loss. Though the plan allows dieters to eat frequently throughout the day and have as much as they want of allowed foods, the number of calories a person consumes will typically be much lower than he or she normally eats on a daily basis. Most people also find this diet easier to stick with than many other diets for two reasons. Brown rice is very filling, so dieters are left satiated after eating, and most plans allow for inclusion of a variety of other foods like fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and nuts which help keep it from getting boring. All of these factors make for a diet plan that allows people to lose a fairly significant amount of weight in a short period of time.

Brown rice.
Brown rice.

Another potential benefit of the brown rice diet is detoxification. Brown rice is very high in fiber, which is good for digestive health and helps ensure that dieters consistently have bowel movements, which in turn helps rid the body of toxins that may build up in the intestines or bowel. The plan also requires dieters to drink large quantities of water each day, preferably between eight and ten glasses. This also helps to flush impurities from the body.

Following the brown rice diet may also help improve certain health conditions, particularly those related to being overweight or obese. Patients with issues like hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes may benefit from both the weight loss that can be achieved with this diet and from eating the healthy foods it requires. The diet should not be considered a replacement for professional medical care, however, and any patients with these diseases should consult with their doctor before starting the plan to determine if it would help them.

Discussion Comments

burcidi

If I remember correctly, the rice diet was developed by a physician who wanted to help his patients with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. The goal was to reduce the amount of sodium in their diet because sodium causes high blood pressure.

Replacing processed, salty foods with some steamed rice worked and many patients saw improvement in their health condition. The diet might cause healthy weight loss, but that wasn't the original goal. It's also not suitable for everyone. For example, diabetics can't do this diet.

ysmina

@donasmrs-- Anything in excess is unhealthy and causes weight gain. The brown rice diet is not a diet where only rice is eaten. The portions are small, so you will not be eating a lot of rice. And brown rice is healthier than white rice.

I'm doing the brown rice diet but I don't think of it as a diet. It's more like a lifestyle change. I have smaller, more frequent and balanced meals. My diet includes small portions of meat, beans, vegetables, brown rice, dairy and fruit. I also exercise at least three times a week.

I've lost three pounds so far, but it hasn't been a month yet. I'm sure I will lose all of my excess weight this way. I recommend this diet to others who are overweight. Like the article said, it's also a great diet for detox.

donasmrs

I'm always told that rice is bad and it's fattening. I can't believe that there is such a thing as a rice diet. Then why do I gain weight when I eat rice?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Brown rice.
      By: airborne77
      Brown rice.