Brown rice cures cancer: Listen to folk or wait for science?

“The above brown rice varieties are still new and have not been scientifically tested for their nutritional content. In the near future, we will also conduct tests on the nutritional levels of these rice varieties.”

Brown rice "matrix"

According to a survey by reporters, many rice agent markets in Hanoi sell different types of brown rice (red dragon claw brown rice, black brown rice and white brown rice...) which are always advertised as effective as a panacea. At Buoi market (Tay Ho), Nghia Tan (Cau Giay), red brown rice is sold for 30,000 - 35,000 VND/kg, eight-grain brown rice is 25,000 - 28,000 VND/kg depending on the store. These types of rice are put in sacks, boxes, and sold together with other types. "I don't know where the rice is grown, I get it from the rice agent and then sell it" - the owner of Son Thoa store (Buoi market) said.

At Nghia Tan market, dragon claw brown rice and sticky brown rice are sold at the lowest price of 30,000 VND/kg. According to the owner of Ha Cuc food store, this is mainly "clean" brown rice produced in Dong Thap and Dien Bien, so the price is higher than the regular type. However, this rice is stored in plastic boxes, without packaging, without the place of production and expiry date. Some types of brown rice sold at stores and rice agents are packaged in 1kg and 2kg, with the place of production and expiry date listed, with prices ranging from 40,000 - 60,000 VND/kg. Ms. Loan's store (Thai Thinh, Dong Da) sells black brown rice for up to 60,000 VND/kg.

A newly launched product is Vibigaba germinated rice. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang (a branch of Phuong Nam Food Joint Stock Company in Tu Liem, Hanoi), this type of brown rice is germinated by engineers according to a technical process transferred from Japan. Ms. Hang said that germinated rice is specifically for people with diabetes.

People with diabetes can eat rice without worrying about increasing blood sugar levels because the amount of sugar in rice is reduced by half. Sprouted rice is packaged in half and one kilo, vacuum-sealed and sold at 80,000 VND/kg. Opened packages only need to be kept at room temperature.

In addition, for the convenience of customers, many brown rice products have been pre-processed such as: Seaweed brown rice, instant sesame salt brown rice with prices from 80 to 88 thousand VND/kg like Thien Ung Company (Ward 14, District 3, HCMC). These products are advertised that after 1 month of eating brown rice, you can lose from 3 to 6 kg.

Be careful with advertising

Professor Vo Tong Xuan, a leading expert on rice, said that brown rice is essentially unpolished rice with a bran layer covering it, which contains some vitamins that are good for health. Regarding the color of brown rice, Professor Xuan said that this is also a "trick" for businesses to build their brands and promote to consumers. Currently, at the rice seed bank of Can Tho University, there are over 3,000 varieties with all colors such as black, purple, red... so coloring rice is not difficult.

Brown rice sold at Nghia Tan market (Cau Giay, Hanoi)

“The advertisements about the effects have not been clinically studied to conclude. It is not clear what percentage of the total number of people who have the disease and use this rice have been cured. The advertisements are mainly based on people who have good results; those who have not had good results have been eliminated, so it is not entirely accurate,” said Professor Xuan.

Professor Xuan warns: Consumers should be careful with such advertisements. They should try it first, and if suitable, they will continue to use it. According to rice experts, in addition to brown rice, some units also grow organic rice, without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers, which is good for health. For example, Hoa Sua organic rice of Vien Phu Trading and Production Joint Stock Company grown in U Minh (Ca Mau) is certified by the Dutch international agency according to US and EU standards. However, this type of rice is expensive.

According to Dr. Le Huy Ham, Director of the Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute, folklore holds that eating brown rice has medicinal properties and can prevent cancer. Brown rice contains germ, bran, unsaturated fat, and some substances that can prevent cancer.

Dr. Ham said that there is currently no scientific research to confirm this. However, according to him, folk experience is not wrong, but eating brown rice to prevent cancer depends on each person. Accordingly, each person's physical condition is different and whether it is suitable to absorb the substances in the bran or not.

Mr. Pham Dong Quang, Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that brown rice has some vitamins that are good for health, but to confirm that it can cure diseases, especially cancer, more research is needed.

“I also support this type of rice because it helps diversify rice varieties, but to promote its medicinal and disease-preventing effects, it must be based on scientific research to prove it,” said Mr. Quang.

According to AloBacsi.vn