A study in which researchers from the University of Sevilla and UIC Barcelona participated concludes that rice bran lowers obesity, blood pressure and the development of arteriosclerosis due to accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. Rice bran contains numerous functional substances with antioxidant anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic (it reduces lipids in the blood) and antidiabetic properties when it is frequently consumed in small amounts.
The research project, which Dr Rosalía Rodríguez from UIC Barcelona participated in, involved the development of genetic models for rodents that have a tendency tto be obese and have high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. In order to do so an enzymatic extract of rice bran was used, which improves the properties of traditional bran since it protects it from the typical oxidation of this product and improves the concentration of its active substances. Bran is formed from the most external parts of the grain, specifically the pericarp, the seed coat and the aleurone, which are eliminated during the process to refine white rice for human consumption. Although rice bran is being introduced into the Spanish market, it is only used to feed animals, but for many years it has been popular in Asian countries and in North America, where it is used to manufacture oils and flours as ingredients in traditional recipes.
