Rice water - the secret to healthier hair?

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

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

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

Rice water has long been considered by folk medicine to be rich in nutrients, so it is often used for skin care and hair care, such as washing the face, shampooing, bathing, and brushing teeth. Besides that, rice water is also known for many other uses such as detoxifying vegetables, removing fishy odors, reducing saltiness, and helping dried vegetables soften quickly.

How can rice water benefit your hair?

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

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

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

Rice also contains an antioxidant called inositol, 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 B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

Potential benefits of rice water

Fans of rice water say it can help make your hair shinier and healthier, while minimizing annoying tangles.

Accordingly, its greatest strength is hair growth. Legend has it that rice water helped Japanese women grow hair long enough to reach the ground. And today in China, rice water is part of a hair care regimen that has helped the town of Huangluo be recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the "Village with the Longest Hair in the World".

But is rice water really that effective?

"According to anecdotal evidence, using rice water for hair seems to have many potential benefits. But there is no scientific evidence to prove that," Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal noted.

Furthermore, according to Dr. Vij, the hair growth process of most people is genetically coded. There are some modifiable factors such as nutrition, age, and overall health, but hair care methods themselves are usually only a very small part of the equation.

Is using rice water on hair risky?

"You have no reason to worry about using rice water potentially harming your hair. There are no harmful chemicals or additives, so rice water will minimize your risk of damage," says Dr. Khetarpal.

However, if you are dealing with scalp inflammation, she advises against using rice water to avoid further irritation. Not rinsing the mixture thoroughly from your hair and scalp can also cause irritation.

How to make and use rice water

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

- Soak the rice in water for a short period, from 30 minutes to two hours.

- Boil the rice water mixture.

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

Dr. Khetarpal stated that the shorter method offers the highest chance of success. She noted that boiling can reduce some nutrients, while prolonged soaking can introduce bacteria into the mixture.

Most online guides for making rice water require rinsing the rice thoroughly before starting the process and filtering the final product. Once you have the rice water, the usage instructions are quite simple. Specifically, after shampooing, pour the rice water over your hair and leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off.

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