Rice bran phytonutrients

Nutrient analysis of stabilized rice bran and its derivatives indicates that it is a good source of protein, dietary fiber and carbohydrates, in addition to several valuable phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (Table 17.1). SRB and its water-soluble and water-insoluble derivatives contain all the nutrients at different levels. They are gluten and lactose free and do not give rise to any food allergy. 

Table 17.5 Comparison of phytonutrients and antioxidants of rice bran with com bran, oat bran and wheat bran...

Natural products have been noted for their potential health benefits from time immemorial and are the basis of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical practice (Bushkin and Bushkin, 2002). However, the potential benefits of several natural products reside in one or two active ingredients. For example green tea stands for polyphenols, soy for soy estrogens, broccoli for isothiocyanates and grape seed for polyphenols. The beauty of rice bran is that there are more than 100 antioxidants, several categories of bioactive phytonutrients, such as IP6, polyphenols, phytosterols, tocotrienols, y-oryzanol, B vitamins, minerals and trace minerals in addition to fat, protein, fiber, polysaccharides and other nutrients. These phytonutrients and antioxidants of rice bran are believed to act at the cellular level, and their synergestic function is responsible for the positive health benefits. 

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