Health and Beauty Benefits of Rice Bran Oil for Seniors
Very few seniors are aware of the benefits of rice bran oil. Compared to other conventional oils, rice bran oil has many advantages. Therefore, it is used for cooking by millions of people worldwide, and it is one of the best oils to use in older adults’ diets, and it is the best cooking oil for the elderly. Rice is one of the most widely available and popular foods globally, and rice bran oil comes from rice germ. In today’s article of Living Maples Mag, we will talk about the benefits of rice bran oil for seniors’ health and beauty.
This oil has a high boiling point; hence, it is suitable for use in high-temperature cooking methods such as frying. Rice bran oil has compounds similar to peanut oil and is healthier than many oils compared to other oils. Some of the benefits of rice bran oil for seniors include:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Strengthening the immune system
- Preventing certain types of cancer
- Improving skin health
- Helping to lose weight
- Eliminating constipation
- Maintaining heart health
- Increasing cognitive power
- Reducing allergic reactions
Because rice is a staple food in Asian countries, rice bran oil is popular in Asian cultures such as Japan and China. However, rice bran oil is used with increasing popularity in many parts of the world due to its relatively low price and beneficial properties for seniors’ health.
This oil has a reputation for its vitamin E content, ability to balance fatty acids, increasing antioxidant capacity, and the ability to lower cholesterol. Hence, keep on reading to know more about the health benefits of rice bran oil for seniors.
Nutritional Value of Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil content in each meal is as follows:
- Water: 0 g
- Energy: 884 kcal
- Protein: 0 g
- Total fat: 100 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Calcium: 0 g
- Iron (Fe): 0.7 mg
- Vitamin K: 24.7 micrograms
- Saturated fatty acid: 19.7 g
- Unsaturated monounsaturated fatty acids: 3.39 g
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Benefits of Rice Bran Oil for Seniors
Preventing Menopausal Symptoms
Research conducted on the effect of rice bran oil on postmenopausal women shows that more than 90% of women who took the rice bran oil supplements reported a reduction in hot flashes and other annoying menopausal symptoms. Rice bran oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps protect the body from oxidative stress. Vitamin E may help alleviate hot flashes and night sweats, common menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause. Research suggests that consuming rice bran oil may also help reduce their frequency and severity.
Lowering Cholesterol Level
The WHO acknowledges that rice bran oil has the best monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fatty acids compared to other oils. This balance in fatty acids means to lower your cholesterol levels because the beneficial forms of cholesterol prevent LDL or bad cholesterol in the body. It can help reduce atherosclerosis, subsequent heart attack, and seniors’ stroke problems.
Preventing Various Cancers
Rice and its by-products have fascinated researchers for a long time because of their ability to reduce cancer risk in old age. Research shows that rice bran oil has a unique power to prevent colorectal cancer. Many studies show that rice bran oil has anti-cancer activity against breast cancer and skin cancer in seniors.
In 2017, the International Journal of Molecular Sciences published an article showing the anti-cancer activity of rice bran oil against gastrointestinal cancer. In addition to reducing inflammation, this oil prevents cell proliferation.
Delaying Ageing Process by Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil is rich in vitamin E. The vitamin in rice bran oil (tocopherol) is directly related to skin health and wrinkles. Free radicals can attack skin cells and increase the symptoms of premature ageing. Rice bran oil can increase your vitamin E levels; hence, it speeds up wound healing, increases cell repair, softens skin, reduces wrinkles and protects against sunburn. Vitamin E also enhances skin cells’ protective activity, preventing foreign toxins and pathogens from entering the body through the skin.
Prevention of Allergic Reactions
Rice causes the least allergic reaction. Moreover, using rice bran oil in cooking does not cause any allergic reactions and can even reduce allergic reactions in the body. This oil can also prevent severe allergic reactions to unusual allergens.
Rice Bran Oil and Weight Loss
Although rice bran oil is high in calories, the body absorbs only 20% of this oil. So if you are worried about being overweight, rice bran oil is probably the best choice for you.
Fighting Bad Breath
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil around in your mouth like mouthwash to improve oral health. One study on 90 senior women showed that mouth washing with rice bran oil reduces bad breath. Researchers believe that rice bran oil’s ability to reduce bad breath is due to its antioxidant content.
Controlling Blood Sugar by Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil also controls blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin resistance, the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Insulin lowers blood sugar by transporting sugar into your cells. Yet, if you develop insulin resistance, your body stops responding to this hormone. Rice bran oil reduces insulin resistance by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may lead to oxidative stress. Hence, rice bran oil is a perfect ingredient for diabetes in seniors or those with diabetes.
Improving Skin Health
As said earlier, rice bran oil is rich in antioxidants, and they support skin health. Furthermore, a 28-day study showed seniors who used creams and gels containing rice brain oil experienced better skin elasticity and shiny skin. Hence, most moisturizers and other products marketed to seniors searching for younger-looking skin have rice bran oil.
Final Words
Rice bran oil has many benefits for seniors; hence, you can add it to your diet to enjoy its many benefits and improve your health and beauty. You can share your experience in the comment section if you are a long-time user of this fantastic oil or plan to include it in your diet.
I have never used this oil, but I’ve heard a lot about its benefits. Although, one of my friends believes that it ruins the taste of food.
My brother thinks the same way. I often use it for frying, but I don’t fry anything whit it whenever he comes to my house because he can’t stand the taste and smell.
I’ve been using rice bran oil for a couple of years now. I never knew it was good for the skin. Should I apply it on my skin like olive oil? is it good for hair too?
It depends on your skin type. If you have an oily complexion, direct application of rice bran oil may not be appropriate for you. This is true for your hair.
The funny thing is, I knew rice bran had many benefits, but I never knew you could extract oil from it. I’m glad I found out there’s a healthier oil I can use for frying.
How do you use rice bran oil for diabetes?
While rice bran oil has its advantages, if you use it frequently in your diet, it can give you an upset stomach or troubled bowel movements.
Also, if you have sensitive skin, it can make your skin red and itchy.
I’m not sure about this…As far as I know, there is no cold-pressed organic rice bran oil on the market, so it’s just bad!
The sad part is almost all branded oils(and most loose oils) are bad unless they are cold-pressed and organic.
All branded oils that are refined are heated to high temperatures.
Then it is bleached with chemicals like caustic soda.
Then they deodorize to remove the strong smell and also to remove the taste to make it neutral so everyone will accept it.
This process also makes the oil last longer.
Rice bran oil is excellent cooking oil. It is perfect for the heart as it is cholesterol-free. My doctor actually recommended this oil to me, and luckily my hubby and kids loved it too. It can be used in any kind of cooking, i.e. frying, making vegetables, etc. It is very light, and there is no prominent smell. I have been using this oil for quite some time now and find it very good for digestion.
I have utilized practically all Rice Bran oils; however, the best Rice Bran oil I discovered is from Ricela.