Consuming high carbohydrate foods, such as white jasmine rice, in excess has links with health conditions, including obesity and an increased risk of disease. Therefore, choosing whole grain varieties of jasmine rice may be healthier than white jasmine rice.
Whole grain rice has more beneficial nutrients than white rice, as it can help someone feel more full, while their body is more able to balance their energy. However, all types of rice can contain toxic arsenic.
In this article, we explore jasmine rice and its nutritional profile. In addition, we discuss the health benefits and risks of consuming it and which types to include in the diet.
Jasmine rice is a fragrant type of rice that originated in Thailand. Local people refer to it as Thai Hom Mali Rice, and they have developed superior varieties since a local farmer discovered it in 1945.
An aromatic amino aldehyde gene gives jasmine rice its distinctive flavor and fragrance, and it cooks to a soft, fluffy texture.
People use white jasmine rice more commonly, but brown varieties are also available. Uncooked white grains have a polished, clear, and glossy appearance.
Jasmine rice is suitable for Asian dishes such as Thai stir-fries, congee, and rice puddings.
The nutrition profile of jasmine rice is similar to regular
A 150 gram (g) serving of cooked white jasmine rice has the following
| Nutrient | Amount per cooked 150g serving |
|---|---|
| Energy | 200 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | less than a gram |
| Carbohydrate | 46 g |
| Fiber | 1.05 g |
| Calcium | 19.5 mg |
Additionally, whole grain rice varieties contain beneficial nutrients, such as magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins.
Rice is a high carbohydrate food, so the health risks and benefits of eating it are similar to those of other carbohydrates. People can include carbohydrates as part of a nutritious diet, but if they eat too much of this food type and perform little physical activity, they may increase their weight as well as their risk of chronic diseases.
The health benefits of jasmine rice depend on whether it is white or whole grain.
White rice is polished, and manufacturers remove the germ and bran from the grains, making it a refined grain. Conversely, whole grain rice contains these beneficial parts of the grain, which add fiber to someone’s diet and can slow down the release of blood sugar.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that white rice typically has a high glycemic index and glycemic load, which can cause spikes in blood glucose. Additionally, the ADA indicates that populations that eat more refined grains, such as white rice, have a higher risk of diabetes.
In contrast, brown jasmine rice contains fiber that helps slow the digestion of carbs in the body.
Additionally, according to data from the
According to the
Health experts recommend that people include whole grains in their diet because
Rice contains arsenic, a neurotoxic substance that can cause cancer.
The
Furthermore, the report highlights that eliminating rice and rice products from the diets of infants and children under the age of 6 years could reduce their lifetime cancer risk by 6% and 23%, respectively.
Additionally, the FDA advises that rinsing rice has a variable impact on reducing arsenic content but also reduces enriched B vitamins and iron.
Finally, the FDA notes that they need to conduct more research to obtain additional information about the risk of arsenic in rice.
Jasmine rice has a distinctive aroma and flavor that makes it suitable for Thai and other Asian dishes. Most people use the white variety of jasmine rice, a refined carbohydrate with a high glycemic index.
However, eating too many refined carbohydrates has associations with certain health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but including whole grains in the diet has health benefits.
Therefore, it is best when choosing rice to opt for whole grain options to reduce the risk of adverse health conditions.
Additionally, rice contains arsenic, which is toxic to the body. It may be beneficial for infants and children under 6 years old to limit their rice consumption and rice products. A pregnant person can also pass on these toxic compounds to their fetus, so they should be mindful of how much rice they eat.