Is Jasmine Rice Good for You?
Jasmine rice stands as a slightly healthier alternative than white rice, but only when consumed in its unprocessed form. Processed jasmine rice is very similar to white rice. Colored variants of jasmine rice, like black red, purple, and brown, can be labeled as healthier alternatives. Jasmine rice contains important nutrients. We will explore them in the next section.
Jasmine Rice Nutrition Facts
100 grams of jasmine rice contain the following nutrients:
All values are sourced from USDA
Potential Health Benefits Of Jasmine Rice
1. May Help Maintain Digestive Health
Jasmine rice, especially the brown variant, is high in fiber. Studies have shown that dietary fiber intake can increase stool frequency in patients with constipation. It may also help maintain digestive health. Additionally, research states that soluble dietary fiber is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. This eventually increases the stool bulk and aids the proper functioning of digestive health.
2. May Help Improve Immunity
The health benefits of jasmine rice can be attributed to the colored variants alone. Studies show that these pigmented varieties of rice are rich in phytochemicals. Additionally, these phytochemicals were found to be generally preserved even while cooking. Research suggests that phytochemicals play an important role in improving immunity. Jasmine rice contains other antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavones, flavonols, carotenoids, and g–oryzanols. Studies suggest that these play a significant role in enhancing immunity.
3. May Offer Additional Antioxidant Benefits
Jasmine rice is believed to have a high antioxidant profile. It is known that free radicals can lead to oxidative damage, which may further trigger cellular and tissue damage. Studies show that antioxidants play a vital role in controlling this phenomenon. Research also shows that pigmented rice, like black or red jasmine rice, is a source of antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, tocopherols, and phenols. Some studies also suggest that antioxidants help reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.
4. May Promote Heart Health
Jasmine rice is believed to promote heart health due to its high antioxidant profile. Studies show that the extract from brown jasmine rice may exhibit significant cardioprotective effects. It is believed that the antioxidant activity of jasmine rice may offer these cardioprotective benefits. However, further studies are needed to understand this mechanism.
5. Is Rich In Fiber
Jasmine rice is high in dietary fiber. This dietary fiber plays a major role in promoting overall health. Research shows that dietary fiber may effectively help manage body weight, improve gut mobility, insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation. Additional studies also state that high dietary fiber intake is associated with reduced risk of blood pressure, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders like GERD, duodenal ulcer, diverticulitis, constipation, serum cholesterol levels. Fiber may also help improve insulin sensitivity.
6. May Minimize The Risk Of Cancer
Red jasmine rice is known to effectively inhibit tumor growth. The proanthocyanidin, γ-oryzanol, and γ-tocotrienol in red jasmine rice may help reduce the risk of cancer. Studies also state that proanthocyanidins (active compounds in red jasmine rice) significantly exhibit anti-cancer properties. They also may alter the expression of proteins associated with breast cancer.
7. Serves As A Modest Source Of Iron
Jasmine rice is a decent source of iron. The rice may help you meet 2% of your daily iron requirements. Studies show that dietary iron plays a vital role in oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and electron transport. However, more studies are needed to understand the role of iron and its related health benefits in jasmine rice.
Jasmine Rice Vs. White Rice: Nutrition Comparison
The table compares the nutrients in 100 grams of jasmine rice and white rice.
All the values of jasmine rice and white rice are sourced from USDA.
Jasmine rice can be cooked as regular rice. You may also make many delicious recipes using it. Check them out below.
Jasmine Rice Recipes
1. Yellow Jasmine Rice
What You Need
2 cups uncooked long-grain jasmine rice 3 cups chicken/vegetable broth 2 tablespoons butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon turmeric ¼ teaspoon cumin 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Method
2. Green peas Jasmine Rice
What You Need
¼ cup green peas 1 ½ cups dry jasmine rice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons chopped onion 3 cups water Salt, to taste
Method
3. Toasted Jasmine Rice
What You Need
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium sliced onion 1 cup jasmine rice 2 cups vegetable/chicken broth ½ tablespoon of salt ½ tablespoon of black pepper 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
Method
4. Coconut Jasmine Rice
This recipe is versatile and easy to prepare. It complements various savory dishes while adding a tropical touch to your meals. What You Need
1 cup Jasmine Rice 1 cup Coconut Milk 1 cup Water 1/2 teaspoon Salt Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Method A Vietnamese food blogger wrote about how she missed jasmine rice cooked by her mother while she was in college. She wrote, “I mean, I like brown rice occasionally, but daily with Vietnamese food, I gotta have Vietnamese jasmine white rice (i).” Want to make your jasmine rice recipes healthier? Read the next section.
Tips for Making Jasmine Rice Healthy
Choose healthier alternatives of jasmine rice like red or brown variants. Cooking jasmine rice in vegetable/ chicken broth instead of plain water enhances its nutrient content. Mix jasmine rice with spices and herbs like onion, ginger, garlic, etc. to reap the benefits. Be mindful of your portion size. Mix jasmine rice with green leafy vegetables like spinach or amaranth for a unique aroma and added benefits.
Jasmine rice is generally safe when consumed in moderation. However, some may experience certain side effects. We have listed them below.
Potential Risks of Jasmine Rice
1. May Result In Blood Sugar Spikes
Any rice variant is a carbohydrate. Ingestion of carbohydrates in excess may result in a spike in blood sugar levels. Studies show that the glycemic index of a few jasmine rice varieties is high. Consuming these varieties may cause an immediate spike in blood sugar levels. Hence, it is highly advised to consume jasmine rice in moderation.
2. The High Arsenic Levels May Exhibit Negative Effects
As per a study, increasing population and little rainfall is contributing to contamination of groundwater with arsenic. This eventually may also lead to arsenic contamination of rice irrigated with groundwater. While information about arsenic contamination of jasmine rice is limited, the possibility cannot be ignored.
3. May Aggravate Rice Allergy
Anecdotal evidence suggests that jasmine rice may aggravate existing rice allergy. Studies suggest that rice allergy is primarily caused by rice proteins. Hence, one must avoid all variants of jasmine rice if they have a history of rice allergy. Is jasmine rice healthier than Basmati? Basmati rice is healthier than jasmine rice because of its low glycemic index, which is suitable for people with diabetes. Does jasmine rice cause bloating? Rice is not commonly considered a cause or trigger for bloating. So jasmine rice doesn’t cause bloating or gas. But you consumed it alongside other foods that may cause bloating. Is jasmine rice good for your liver? Many anecdotal evidence suggests that brown jasmine rice may help protect against fatty liver disease. However, limited data is available to prove this claim. Is jasmine rice Keto-friendly? No. Jasmine rice is not considered keto-friendly due to its high carb values. Even a small amount or serving of jasmine rice contains more carbs, which makes it not a keto-friendly food choice. Is jasmine rice healthier than potatoes? Potatoes are a healthier option than jasmine rice due to the presence of more nutrients. However, if you add any toppings to potatoes, their fat and calorific values increase significantly, making them unhealthy.
Tasteful health benefits with a tantalizing aroma—that is jasmine rice for you! Moreover, it promotes digestion and supports your overall health. Check out the video to learn more about it!
Personal Experience: Source
i. How to Cook Jasmine Rice https://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-cook-jasmine-rice.html
