Healthy News About Rice
Since 1998, virtually all white rice in the U.S. is enriched with the B-vitamin folic acid, which helps protect against birth defects. This is good news for women.
"The majority of women in the U.S. don't meet their daily requirements for iron and folic acid, two nutrients that are critical for women," says Jeanne Blankenship, MS RD, chair-elect, Women's Health and Reproductive Nutrition, a practice group of the American Dietetic Association.
"Rice is a great way for moms and moms-to-be to increase their folate intake. From lean meats and low-fat dairy products, to fruits, nuts and vegetables, rice adds nutrition, texture and flavor to any dish it accompanies," Blankenship adds.
Folic acid helps to lower blood homocysteine levels, believed to be an independent risk factor for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. New research from the American Heart Association journal Circulation found folic acid fortification also helps to reduce deaths from stroke.
One-half cup of cooked enriched white rice is a complex carbohydrate containing 15 essential nutrients, no sodium or cholesterol, virtually no fat and no saturated or trans fats. It also counts as one serving of grains on the USDA's MyPyramid.
Used with permission from www.health-eheadlines.com, © 2006, Write On, Inc.
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