Japanese rice is healthy because it contains a great content of nutritional elements and all these nutrients have vast amounts of health benefits attached to them.
There are various nutrients that you can get from Japanese rice, such as proteins, vitamins, calcium, and also minerals as well.
An average Japanese man aged up to at least 82 years consumes rice at least once a day. The 82 years of age of an average Japanese man can be traced as one of the benefits of Japanese rice.
However, if you are still wondering if Japanese rice is healthy, in this article, I will discuss the benefits of Japanese rice and why you should make it your favorite rice.
What is Japanese Rice?
Japanese rice or Japonica rice is a staple of Japanese diets and consists of short translucent grains. It has a particularly sticky, firm, and sweet texture to it.
However, there are over 200 varieties of Japanese rice, but the most common is the Koshihikori rice, also known as the Koshi rice. Koshi rice is a short grain that is used in cooking a variety of dishes.
What are the Uses of Japanese Rice?
Japanese rice is mostly used for making various Japanese cuisines such as Sushi, Rice Balls, Chirashi bowls, and various other dishes that are being enjoyed.
SEE: How to Enjoy Japanese Cuisines at Discounted Prices
What is Sushi?
Sushi is a Japanese cuisine prepared with vinegar rice accompanied by a variety of other ingredients such as vegetables, avocados, and cucumber.
What is the Chirashi Bowl?
The word “Chirashi” in Japan refers to Scattered. It is a bowl of seasoned rice topped with scattered slices of fish roe, spongy egg garnish, and occasionally tamagoyaki.
What are Rice Balls?
Japanese rice balls are also known as onigiri. It is a Japanese cuisine made from rice and has been shaped, condensed, and combined into a ball shape.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Japanese Rice?
Aside from the fact that Japanese rice grows stronger and develops better than other rice, what are the health benefits of eating Japanese rice?
1. Source of Fiber and Calcium
Japanese rice is rich in fiber which helps in regulating the body’s usage of sugar. It also keeps the blood sugar level in check.
Calcium helps the nerves in the proper circulation of blood and carries messages from the brain to another part of the body.
2. Boost Energy
Due to the presence of carbohydrates and protein in Japanese rice, it acts as a great source of energy that the body needs to perform at an optimal level. Carbohydrate acts as a primary fuel source for the brain’s high energy demands.
SEE: Mussel Nutrients That You Probably Didn’t Know About
3. Prevents Obesity
Japanese rice has sodium and a very low amount of cholesterol which are helpful in the prevention of obesity.
Sodium also helps relax the muscles in the body and maintains the proper balance of water and minerals in the body.
4. It Promotes Skin Health
Ever wonder why Japanese people tend to look even younger than their age? The antioxidants in Japanese rice can deal with wrinkles and blemishes on the skin.
SEE: How Drinking Water Can Help Your Skin
5. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
The fiber in Japanese rice helps to promote good bowel movements which are good for reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Therefore, you may want to eat Japanese rice regularly so as to enhance your cardiovascular health.
Is Japanese Rice better than Brown Rice?
Although Japanese rice is healthy, it lacks the added nutrients that brown rice has to offer. Japanese rice is ideal for the preparation of sushi rice cause it tends to be more sticky than brown rice.
What is the Difference Between Japanese Rice and Brown Rice?
- Japanese rice is more sticky than Brown rice.
- Japanese rice tends to be more translucent than brown rice.
- Also, Japanese rice is easier to cook than brown rice.
SEE: How to Reheat Fried Rice Perfectly
Does Japanese rice contain antioxidants?
Yes, the antioxidants available in Japanese rice are one of the reasons it is healthy and highly recommended.
An antioxidant is a substance just like vitamins C and E that helps in removing and reversing damages caused by oxidizing cells in the body.
Are the antioxidants in Japanese rice good for my health?
Yes, antioxidants are good for consumption. The antioxidants in Japanese rice are specifically for removing skin wrinkles.
Fun Facts About Japanese Rice
- Arborio rice is very similar to Japanese rice due to its similar sticky character.
- It is easier to use chopsticks while eating Japanese rice because of its sticky nature.
- The majority of Japanese rice in the United States is produced in California.
FAQs
What is the most consumed type of Japanese Rice?
The most common variety of Japanese rice is the Koshihikori rice, also known as the Koshi rice.
Does Japanese rice make you fat?
No, Japanese rice contains low-fat contents.
Japanese cuisines with rice such as sushi are mostly prepared with sugar. But due to the cooking process, sushi becomes low in fat contents and making it easy to digest.
Is Japanese rice good for people with diabetes?
No, a high intake of Japanese rice may lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Is Japanese rice good for weight loss?
Surprisingly, Japanese rice can contribute to weight loss. This is due to the presence of low calories in them.
Are the antioxidants in Japanese rice good for my health?
Are antioxidants good for consumption? Yes, they are. They contain antibodies that help in removing oxidizing organisms from your body.
Conclusion: Is the Japanese Worth it?
Japanese rice is a steady diet for the majority of the world. As much as there is some downside to them, the benefits far out ways the side effect. Therefore, it is recommended that you to consume Japanese rice in balanced proportions occasionally.
Once you fully understand how to prepare rice and how your system handles your metabolism, I believe you will see the health benefits of Japanese rice.
However, you should also try out a few other rice brands such as Basmati, Jasmine, and Brown rice among others.
In addition to helping you live a healthy life, here are healthy and delicious organic meals you should give a try. Don’t forget, that health is wealth. Therefore, always eat healthy foods.
I hope you enjoyed the article. Thank you for reading.
