Rice is used as an imperative staple food in most Asian countries. Rice is basically cooked by boiling with water because boiling helps in making the rice soft and ultimately rice water is thrown away after cooking. Whereas rice water also contains various nutrients that offer numerous health benefits thus it should be used in cooking and should not be thrown away.

Nutritional composition

• It contains desirable amount of carbohydrates especially rich in starch
• It also contains proteins and composed of some important amino acids
• It does not contain enough fat
• It is associated with providing adequate amount of energy on its oxidation and most of the energy comes from its carbohydrate contents
• It contains several important micronutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex and various imperative trace elements
• It is also loaded with ferulic acid, flavonoids, allantoin and phenolic compounds, which are accountable for exerting nutraceutical activities

Health benefits

Role on digestive health

• Consumption of rice water is extremely useful for improving the health and functionality of digestive system
• It not only helps in digestion but also promotes absorption of various nutrients from intestinal epithelial cells
• It has been extensively used as an important remedial action for diarrhea for both infants and adults as it is associated with decreasing the frequency and volume of stool

• It is also related with promoting gut health
• Its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity are responsible for protecting the digestive tract from damages as a result it helps in reducing the prevalence of gastrointestinal issues

Role on hydration

• We know that heat and humidity are responsible for making an individual feel dehydrated and to prevent such events from happening individual should consume a glass of rice water before they step out from their house because rice water provides all those essential nutrients to the body, which it loses in heat
• It also helps the body to function effectively
• Apart from its water content it is also composed of various imperative trace elements thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for maintaining a healthy balance of fluid and electrolytes in body

Role on metabolism

• Consumption of rice water is really very effective for boosting up the metabolism of the body
• It contains significant amount of B vitamins, which play vital role in stimulating metabolic reactions of body as B vitamins participate in metabolic reactions in the form of coenzymes
• It is also associated with promoting cellular respiration, which ultimately helps in improving energy level of the body

Role on nervous system

• Its micronutrient components especially B vitamins, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity are responsible for promoting the health and the activity of nervous system
• It helps in improving brain functionality as well
• It is also associated with delaying the onset of neuro-inflammatory events, which helps in reducing the risk of developing neurological disorders. All the credit goes to its phenolic components and flavonoids, which are accountable for preventing inflammation
• Its antioxidant activity is also responsible for protecting every nerve cell from free radical induced oxidative damages, which ultimately helps to sustain the activity of nerve cells

Role on mental health

• It plays significant role in improving overall mental health
• It is also associated with providing calmness as a result helps in relaxing the mind, which not only improves mood but also helps in decreasing stress level and anxiety
• It helps to refresh the mind as well
• It is responsible for relaxing the body too. It has seen that addition of rice water in bath and soaking the body within it for some minutes is very effective for providing relaxation to the body

Role on skin

• Rice water is considered as one of the most important therapeutic substances for skin as it helps in promoting skin health in various ways
• It plays significant role in decreasing dark patches and also helps to lighten the skin
• Vitamin C component of rice water is responsible for stimulating collagen production, which ultimately helps in improving skin elasticity
• Inositol present in rice water plays vital role in promoting cellular growth and it is also associated with facilitating smooth blood flow, which ultimately leads to clear facial skin
• It is also considered as an effective softening agent for skin and it helps in removing dead skin cells too, as a result it helps to attain a softer as well as flawless skin
• It can also be used as a natural skin tonner. It has seen that rice water not only helps in improving skin smoothness but also it is very effective for enhancing skin glow
• It is associated with improving skin brightness
• It is extremely effective for improving the symptoms of acne. It is better to apply rice water with the help of cotton ball to the affected site, which significantly decreases redness as well as the marks
• It is very helpful for preventing eczema as starch component of rice water plays significant role in healing dead cells
• It is used as an imperative home based remedy for burnt skin. It helps to protect the skin from the harmful consequences of UV radiation as well

• It is also related with protecting the skin from inflammatory damages
• It helps to improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis as well
• It is also very effective for decreasing the prevalence of rashes and blemishes

Role on hair

• Rice water plays significant role in improving hair growth. It contains various imperative nutrients that help to nourish the scalp and facilitates hair growth
• Inositol is considered as one of the most important components of rice water, which is responsible for promoting surface friction and helps to repair damage hair
• It is also associated with improving hair elasticity
• Massaging rice water to the scalp is really very effective for strengthening the hair from the root

Therapeutic uses

It has been traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes, which include –

• It is used for decreasing the susceptibility of developing chronic diseases due to its antioxidant activity. Its Vitamin components, flavonoids and phenolic compounds are considered as the main components, which are responsible for exerting antioxidant activity. It plays significant role in decreasing the concentration of free radicals within body and protects the body from oxidative damages
• It is also associated with preventing inflammation, swelling and pain
• It is extensively used as an important food for toddlers as it is associated with providing instant energy. It is easily digestible too and helps in preventing constipation

• Vitamin A, present in rice water is also very effective for improving eye health. It helps to protect the retina from free radical induced oxidative damages, which ultimately promotes vision
• It is very useful for improving the health and functionality of connective tissue as its Vitamin C content is responsible for stimulating the production of collagen, which is an imperative part of connective tissues
• It helps in wound healing as well
• It is also associated with preventing fatigue or general weakness as it helps to increase the energy level of the body
• It plays significant role in regulating body temperature too

Risk factors

Though it has no such side effects but some individual experience hair damages due to its over consumption.

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