Rice water - the secret to healthier hair?

In more modern times, this idea has received millions of likes on social media. But can rice water really give you the hair you love?

According to the National Institute of Nutrition (Ministry of Health), cooked rice is the most frequent source of carbohydrates for the body. In addition to carbohydrates, rice also contains many good vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins (B1, B3, B6), iron, zinc, fiber, etc.

Fiber and valuable vitamins and minerals are not found inside the rice grain but mainly on the outside of the rice grain.

Rice water has long been considered by folk to have many nutrients, so it is often used to beautify the skin and smooth hair such as washing the face, shampooing, bathing, brushing teeth, etc. Besides, rice water is also known for many other uses such as detoxifying vegetables, removing fishy odors, removing salt, and helping dry vegetables soften quickly.

How can rice water help your hair?

According toCleveland ClinicRice water is the starchy liquid that is created when rice is soaked or cooked in water. This cloudy mixture is packed with nutrients that make rice one of the most important food sources in the world.

So how can it help your hair? Let's start with the starch in rice that is released into the water.

“Starch acts as a hair conditioner. It sits on the outer layer of the hair follicle, called the cuticle, and works to prevent the hair follicles from rubbing against each other, becoming brittle, or breaking,” explains Dr. Alok Vij.

Rice also contains an antioxidant called inositol, which is touted as a “hair growth stimulant,” along with a long list of vitamins and minerals that can protect hair from damaging stress. These vitamins and minerals include vitamin B, E, fiber, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

Possible benefits of rice water

Rice water fans say it can help make your hair shinier and healthier, while minimizing annoying tangles.

The biggest strength, of course, is hair growth. Legend has it that rice water helped Japanese women grow their hair to the ground. And today in China, rice water is part of a hair care regimen that has helped the town of Huangluo earn the Guinness Book of World Records' title as "The Village with the Longest Hair in the World."

But is rice water really that effective?

“Anecdotally, it seems like there are a lot of potential benefits to using rice water for hair. But there's no scientific evidence to back it up,” notes Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal.

In addition, according to Dr. Vij, most people's hair growth is genetically coded. There are some factors that can be changed, such as nutrition, age, and overall health, but hair care methods themselves are often only a very small component.

Is it risky to use rice water for hair?

“There is no reason to worry about using rice water causing damage to your hair. There are no harmful chemicals or additives, so rice water will limit your risk of damage,” says Dr. Khetarpal.

But if you're dealing with a scalp condition, she recommends avoiding rice water to avoid further irritation. Not rinsing the mixture out of your hair and scalp can also cause irritation.

How to make and use rice water

There are 3 main ways to make rice water, including:

- Soak rice in water for a short time from 30 minutes to two hours.

- Boil the rice water mixture.

- Soak for a day or longer to let the water ferment.

Dr. Khetarpal says the shorter option gives you the best chance of success. She notes that boiling can destroy some nutrients, while soaking for a long time can introduce bacteria into the mix.

Most online instructions for making rice water require rinsing the rice before starting the process and straining the final product. Once you have the rice water, the instructions are pretty straightforward. Specifically, after shampooing, pour the rice water over your hair and let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing it out./.