Table of contents:
- Prepare rice water that is safe for consumption
- Various benefits of drinking rice water
- 1. Source of energy
- 2. Prevent constipation
- 3. Prevent dehydration
- 4. Overcoming diarrhea
Maybe you have often heard about the benefits of rice water for beauty such as treating your face and hair. However, did you know that rice water can also be drunk directly? Rice is one of the most versatile food ingredients that are rich in nutrients. So, drinking rice water regularly can also provide health benefits for your body.
White, brown, or brown rice water has been known as an alternative medicine from Asia for centuries. When someone is sick, usually that person will be asked to drink rice water. Rice water itself is rich in various fiber, vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, and B1. Are you curious about the benefits? Read on for the information below to find out.
Prepare rice water that is safe for consumption
Usually, the rice that is cooked for its essence is white or brown rice. To prepare rice water, first wash your rice thoroughly. After that, boil or cook one cup of rice in roughly three to four cups of ready-to-drink water. To make rice water, the ideal ratio of rice to water is 1: 3. Let stand for 45 minutes until the rice is soft. When the rice is half cooked, drain the water.
You can add a little salt or sugar to the solution to add flavor. However, you should immediately drink rice water without adding anything. You can also soak the rice in ready-to-drink water for 30 minutes to an hour. However, experts believe that pre-cooking the rice can maximize the nutrients that settle in the water.
Various benefits of drinking rice water
In ancient times, people in Japan and China routinely drank rice water every morning. Drinking rice water every day is believed to be able to increase vitality and health in general. Rice water is also often used as an alternative medicine when people fall ill, especially with digestive problems. Here are the various benefits of drinking rice which are a pity to miss.
1. Source of energy
If you are not energized, weak because you are not feeling well, or are not getting enough rest, drinking rice water can help increase your energy. The feeling of weakness or lack of energy is usually caused because the supply of carbohydrates in the body has been burned out. Rice water is rich in carbohydrates which can be a source of energy. Drinking rice water in the morning will make you feel more refreshed and energized throughout the day. In addition, rice water is also safe and natural, does not contain additional harmful chemicals such as those found in energy drinks.
2. Prevent constipation
Constipation or constipation occurs due to hardened stool making it difficult to pass stool. This can lead to stomach upset or frequent passing of gas. To smooth the digestive tract that is experiencing constipation, you need lots of fiber and fluids. Drinking rice water can be the answer. Because it is rich in fiber, rice water, especially from brown rice, can help soften stool and improve your digestive system. In addition, various good bacteria produced by rice starch are also effective in nourishing your intestines. So, for those of you who often experience constipation, you should start drinking rice water regularly every morning to prevent indigestion.
3. Prevent dehydration
People who are sick need lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, for example when they have typhus, dengue fever, or influenza. For that, you can drink rice water as a distraction of water when you are sick. Rice water contains more minerals and iron that the body needs to replace lost fluids.
4. Overcoming diarrhea
Rice water is a traditional medicine for diarrheal diseases that has been known for a long time, especially in India. A study published in a journal in the UK, the Lancet, proves that rice water can replace lost electrolytes and reduce the symptoms of diarrhea. In the study, diarrhea sufferers who drank rice water could reduce the frequency of bowel movements by 50%, and reduce vomiting by 60%. This is because rice water contains starch which is very easy for the body to digest, even by babies. The reaction of starch in the body to relieve diarrhea symptoms is also faster because the body is familiar with its structure. The body will no longer perceive rice water as a drug or foreign substance.
