Health benefits of rice bran oil

Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the hard outer brown layer of rice after chaff (rice husk). It is notable for its high smoke point of 232 °C (450 °F) and its mild flavor, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking methods such as stir frying and deep frying. It is popular as a cooking oil in several Asian countries, including Japan, India and China.

Rice bran is the hard outer layer of rice, used for the extraction of oil after dehusking. It is used as cooking oil in many countries like Japan china India.High smoke point and mild flavor of rice bran oil make it more suitable for high temperature cooking method like deep frying.  Rice bran oil has composition just like peanut oil with 38 monounsaturated, 37% polyunsaturated, and 25% saturated fatty acid. Rice bran oil has unique antioxidant    γ-oryzanol. It improves its ability to fight against the disease. Oryzanol content of rice bran oil remain approximately same when heated at 180°C for 8 hours. It has high quantities of phytosterol and polyphenols. These compounds are valuable and responsible for hypocholesterolemic effect.  Rice bran oil has high fraction of tocopherols and trienols together as vitamin E.  These two compound act as anti-mutagenic agent. These prevent the cancer caused by free radical. It is also rich in phytosterol. Studies have shown that rice bran has active constituent to improve the blood cholesterol by reducing the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and increases the proportion of HDL (high density lipoproteins, also good cholesterol) cholesterol.

When studied in animals, it is noted that 42% decrease in cholesterol with 62% drop in LDL (low density lipoproteins) cholesterol. Rice bran oil also reduces the cardiovascular diseases, also inhibit the platelet aggregation. Studies have shown that woman using the rice bran oil found relief in menopausal symptoms.Fats and oils have dual function, act as heat transfer medium and also become the component of food. So it must have good thermal and oxidative stability, good shelf life, acceptable cost, most important consumer appeal. Rice bran oil does not produce any allergic reaction when ingested.

Rice bran oil not only has a good fatty acid profile but also a rich source of antioxidant and micronutrients. Food prepared from rice bran oil score highest when compare with food prepared from other cooking oil like peanut oil, palm oil and soya bean oil. Rice bran oil considered as more economical as less oil (20%) is absorbed as compare to others. The lower absorption rate is related to viscosity of rice bran oil, which makes it light and non-sticky. High smoke point inhibits the isomerization and polymerization of fatty acid. Squalene a compound present in rice bran  it make the skin fresh, healthy, delay aging, act as moisturizer, prevents the formation of wrinkles,  also give protection from sun damage.

These benefits attract the consumer to utilize the rice bran oil in their diets.