Introduction
Rice is a staple food for many cultures and countries, but it can also be detrimental to your health. Rice consumption has been linked to arsenic exposure and blood sugar problems, and some health experts believe that rice consumption may lead to weight gain. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your diet or shed some pounds, consider giving up rice and seeing what happens!
You’ll probably lose weight.
Rice is a high-glycemic food, which means it contains a lot of carbohydrates that are easily broken down into sugar. The more quickly these sugars enter your bloodstream, the greater your risk for obesity and diabetes.
[epcl_box type=”success”]How to Lose Weight: A Step-by-Step Guide for Anyone Who Wants To Get Healthy[/epcl_box]
It’s important to note that there are many other factors at play when it comes to weight gain—your genetics, physical activity level and overall diet all play important roles. However, if you’re concerned about losing weight now or in the future, cutting back on rice can be an easy way to start slimming down.
You’ll feel better.
If you stop eating rice, you’ll feel better.
You’ll lose weight and have more energy. Your skin will look better, too.
All this is possible because when you don’t eat rice, your body starts to burn fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel. That’s why many people who cut out carbs are able to keep going for hours on end without feeling hungry or tired—and even if they do feel hungry or tired at first, their bodies eventually adjust until they’re able to go long stretches without eating anything at all! And once your body adjusts? You won’t want to go back!
Your blood sugar will normalize.
Blood sugar is the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucose is a type of sugar that’s used for energy by every cell in your body. It also plays an important role in helping to build cells, store fuel and process fat. Insulin allows the glucose to enter cells, where it can be used for energy or stored as fat if there’s too much circulating in your blood.
When you eat, you digest the food and break it down into its basic components. Most foods are broken down into glucose during digestion and then absorbed through the intestinal walls into your bloodstream.
Once there, insulin transports the excess glucose out of your bloodstream and into liver cells to make glycogen (another form of stored carbohydrate) or muscle tissue for more immediate use as fuel for physical activity such as exercise or daily activities like walking up stairs or standing up from sitting down at work—or even just sitting still!
Your skin might improve.
Your skin might improve.
Rice is made up of two types of starch: amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a type of resistant starch, which means it can’t be broken down by digestive enzymes. Instead, it passes through your system undigested and takes up residence in the large intestine where it acts as a prebiotic (food for beneficial bacteria).
The problem? Some people have trouble digesting this type of starch, which can cause gas or bloating, painful stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. Sounds like an unpleasant experience!
If you’re experiencing any symptoms like these—or even if you just want healthier-looking skin—eating less rice might help.
In one study published in the International Journal of Dermatology researchers found that among patients with eczema who reduced their intake from three cups per day to half a cup per day over six months had significant improvements in their condition compared with those who continued eating their normal amounts during that same period. The reason? Well…
You’ll cut down on arsenic exposure.
Yes, arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil and groundwater. But the source of most of what you’re exposed to comes from fertilizer and pesticides used in rice farming. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that children under five years old consume an average of 0.5 micrograms of arsenic per day—which is over 200 times more than is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The good news is that cutting out rice altogether won’t completely eliminate your exposure to this toxin: As mentioned above, it’s also found in other foods like apple juice and infant formula; however, many experts recommend that adults eat no more than one serving a day because high consumption may increase risk for various types of cancer (see our other recommendations below).
Learning about the potential health benefits of giving up rice can be a good reason to try it for yourself and see if you feel better by forgoing this often-staple food in your diet!
If you stop eating rice, here’s what might happen:
- You could lose weight. The FDA recommends consuming at least half of your grains as whole grains; however, most Americans eat more refined grains than whole ones. As a result, they consume less fiber than they need to maintain optimal health and wellbeing. Researchers have found that eating less refined carbohydrates can help you lose weight because it reduces insulin resistance and lowers triglycerides in your blood while increasing HDL cholesterol (the good kind). This can mean a decrease in your cravings for carb-rich foods like breads and pastas.
- Your digestion may improve on its own if you remove grains from your diet, which typically contains starches that are hard to digest all at once because they contain high amounts of amylose (a type of carbohydrate) compared with other sources such as legumes or potatoes (which are easier for our bodies to break down). If this happens naturally after giving up rice for long enough without any effort on your part then great! But if not then we suggest taking steps toward improving digestion through specific strategies such as eating plenty of fermented foods or supplementing with probiotics like kombucha tea or lacto-fermented veggies like sauerkraut; these foods are full of healthy bacteria which will support better digestion overall without having any negative side effects whatsoever!
Conclusion
Whether or not you decide to give up rice, it’s important to remember that this is just one small part of a bigger picture. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh vegetables and whole foods as well as a little bit of meat or fish (or none at all!) can go a long way toward improving your health.