All over the planet, women are looking for the best beauty secrets from other cultures, and what better than a classic of Asian beauty: rice water?
Rice water is an ancient Asian secret not only for its skin-improving properties but also for its health properties.
Asians have used the water left in the pot of boiled rice for centuries as a hair and skin treatment, and even for health benefits.
We recommend that you take note since in this article we are going to show you what rice water is for, its benefits, and how to make rice water.
Benefits of rice water
By itself, rice water is an ancient secret for diarrhea and indigestion since it promotes intestinal health, it also promotes health in general, since it has many benefits.
In addition, rice water is an incredible ally for beauty. Did you know that rice water is perfect for the skin? Below we are going to show you some of the benefits of rice water:
1. Regulates blood pressure
Believe it or not, rice water can be very effective in managing blood pressure. This is because rice water has fiber and potassium that can help regulate blood pressure.
A study published by the American Heart Association shows that consuming foods rich in potassium can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Although white rice is not as high in potassium as avocado or banana, it has 17 milligrams. Ingesting it in liquid form is easier than consuming large amounts of food to meet the daily intake.
2. Protects the cardiovascular system
Being beneficial for controlling blood pressure, this also makes it a good supplement to protect the cardiovascular system, since rice also has a component that inhibits a hormone called angiotensin that causes blood vessels to narrow and excess to accumulate. Of sodium in the blood.
3. Boosts the immune system
One of the best benefits of rice water is that it boosts the immune system thanks to the nutrients found in rice such as iron, vitamin B, and niacin, among others.
When you prepare rice water, many of the nutrients contained in the grain are captured in the water. Naturally, these nutrients positively affect all cell types, including those in your immune system.
4. Improves intestinal transit
A clinical study published in the medical bulletin of the Children’s Hospital of Mexico maintains that brown rice water is very useful to combat stomach discomfort.
They also maintain that rice water significantly reduces symptoms of stomach upset and reduces bowel movements, which is why it is recommended to combat diarrhea and improve digestion.
5. Relieves diarrhea, gastritis and gastroenteritis
Thanks to its ability to improve digestion, rice water is also a great option to relieve all intestinal and stomach conditions such as diarrhea, gastritis, and gastroenteritis.
In a comparative study carried out by the World Health Organization in Dubai, the positive effects of rice water on infants suffering from different ailments related to the digestive tract were analyzed.
The study consisted of two groups of children, of which one group received rice water while the other was administered water with electrolytes.
The study concluded that the group that had consumed the rice water noticed significant improvements, especially in the reduction of diarrhea, which presented a reduction of more than half compared to the group that received the water with electrolytes.
6. Contributes to weight loss
The nutrients present in rice water assist in weight loss. Drinking rice water before meals will substantially increase the level of satiety at mealtime, so you will naturally notice a reduction in appetite and, therefore, you may end up consuming fewer calories.
The only way to burn fat is through a caloric deficit, that is, you consume fewer calories than you burn. Therefore, rice water can help you achieve your calorie goals.
7. Reduces headaches and migraines
The American Migraine Foundation states that some of the vitamins present in rice, such as vitamin B, can help reduce and even prevent headaches and migraines.
8. Prevents dehydration
We all know that water helps us stay hydrated, but sometimes water alone is not enough, many times our body requires nutrients or electrolytes.
You can prevent dehydration, especially if you also have diarrhea or vomiting, with rice water.
When you have diarrhea, if left unchecked, it can cause rapid dehydration. Rice water will not only keep you hydrated, but it will also provide you with necessary nutrients and help you fight diarrhea.
9. Slows aging
Have you ever wondered why Asian women have amazing skin? Although it is largely due to genetics, Asian women follow a culture that, in addition to promoting healthy foods, has ancient beauty secrets.
One of their secrets to keeping skin fresh, youthful, and radiant is rice water, which they use as a toner.
Dermatologists note that rice water can help moisturize and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has the potential to help with hyperpigmentation (such as sun spots that appear with age).
A study published by Hindawi in 2013 suggests that rice water can also improve signs of sun damage.
10. Improves facial skin and hair
Rice water is one of the most used tonics in China and Japan by women, both to improve the appearance of the skin and hair.
Regular use of rice water has many benefits for hair as it helps eliminate dandruff, strengthen hair, stimulate growth, provide volume, and improve its appearance.
The reason why rice water is beneficial for hair and skin is because the composition of rice water is rich in vitamins B and C.
It also contains potassium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, and fiber. It is like a kind of cocktail of nutrients to nourish the follicles and repair damaged cells.
How to prepare rice water?
The way you prepare the rice water will depend on what you want to use it for. It will not be the same to prepare rice water to drink as it is to put on your hair. Below we show you the rice water recipes for different uses:
Rice water for diarrhea and stomach upset
To improve the symptoms of diarrhea or stomach upset, follow the following instructions published in the official bulletin of the Children’s Hospital of Mexico.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- ½ cup white rice
Preparation
- Boil the water with the rice.
- Once it boils, remove it from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Strain the water and serve.
Rice water as a refreshing drink
This recipe is ideal for using rice water as a kind of post- or pre-workout drink.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups of milk
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cup of sugar
Preparation
- Boil all the ingredients together.
- Once it has boiled, remove it from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Strain and let cool.
Rice water for skin and hair
This recipe is ideal to use as a tonic. You can apply it to your skin with a cotton ball before going to bed or your hair before rinsing in the shower.
Ingredients
- 1 glass of water
- ½ cup white rice
Preparation
- Boil the rice together with the water
- Once it has boiled, remove it from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool before pouring it into a bottle.
Application on the face
With the help of a cotton ball, put rice water on your clean face as if it were a toner and let it act for 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
Application on hair
After washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual, add a good amount of rice water and let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.
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