What is Rice Flour?
Rice flour is a fine gluten-free powder with a neutral taste that is produced by milling whole or polished rice grains. It is commonly derived from both white rice or brown rice, however we use brown rice flour within our products as it provides significantly more nutrients and greater health benefits. The nutritional profile of brown rice flour typically includes carbohydrates, rich amounts of fibre and small amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and B vitamins.
Health Benefits:
Digestive Health Support
Rice flour can act as a functional prebiotic that stimulates the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. These prebiotic properties can help improve gut health by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyric acid which contributes to the maintenance of the intestinal barrier, reduces inflammation, and supports a healthy microbiome.
Cardiovascular Health
The high levels of dietary fibre found within brown rice flour may also support cardiovascular health. Research has shown that greater dietary fibre intake is associated with reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease, as well as lower risk of mortality linked to cardiovascular disease. This beneficial effect has been suggested to be linked to dietary fibres' ability to reduce cholesterol levels, which subsequently helps to prevent fatty plaque build up in arteries and supports healthy blood flow.
Typical Use:
Rice flour is regularly used as an ingredient within functional foods such as breads, cakes and cookies due to its prebiotic properties that promote gut health. It is also used as an ingredient within dietary supplements, especially vegan and vegetarian supplements.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5731843/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/3/444
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9787832/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464622001645
