When you are shopping for a protein powder, you need to read the ingredient lists and see where exactly the protein in the product is coming from. One of best sources is brown rice. While you might not think of rice as a good source of protein because it is generally classified as more of a carbohydrate, it has become a popular choice for many of the powders on the market. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider a brown rice protein powder.
The biggest difference between the two rices may seem like the color, but it's not. White rice is a much more processed food than brown rice. In fact, only one layer of the hull is removed from the natural rice to make brown rice compared to many layers to create white rice. The reason that is such a big deal is that all of that extra processing comes at a tremendous cost: the rice loses a great deal of its nutrient richness.
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When brown rice becomes white rice, more than two-thirds of its Vitamin B3 content is completely destroyed along with four-fifths of its Vitamin B1. Only 10% of the Vitamin B6 the rice contains remains at the end of the process and none of the fiber is left behind. You also miss out on all of the essential fatty acids, as well as significant amounts of manganese, phosphorus, and iron. As you can see, a brown rice protein powder is going to be superior because it will maintain all of these important nutrients which are then passed into your body when you drink the protein shakes.
Ongoing research continues to show other health benefits from this rice. For instance, this rice is considered an excellent source of selenium which is an essential mineral needed to produce some types of proteins and antioxidant enzymes in the body. However, most foods simply do not contain enough of it to meet your health needs. This rice is one of the exceptions and because of its role in protein building that's a good think for brown rice protein powder.
This particular rice has also been shown to offer cardiovascular health benefits, including helping to lower cholesterol, and may help reduce the risk of diabetes. For all of these reasons, brown rice protein powder is an excellent choice for consumers who are looking for a good source of nutrients. Just remember to check the labels of the powder before you buy to see exactly where your protein is coming from.