Rice Bran Maintains Healthy Blood Pressure, Lipid Profile and Glucose Metabolism in Stroke-Prone Animals

Researchers have found that rice bran fraction fed to stroke-prone, hypertensive rats reduces blood pressure, triglyceride and glucose levels in the animals.

Rice bran is normally discarded during rice processing and is a naturally rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, especially tocotrienols, gamma-oryzanol, and polyphenols. Past studies of rice bran’s effect on humans have shown that rice bran and rice bran water-soluble fractions can reduce glycosylated hemoglobin in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. (Lower glycosylated hemoglobin levels occur when blood glucose level is optimally regulated.) Rice bran also reduces serum glucose levels and serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides levels in both types of diabetics.

In the current study, male 4-week-old rats were divided into one of three groups. One group served as a control and two groups were fed diets supplemented with rice bran fractions. After 8 weeks, compared to the control groups, blood pressure significantly decreased in the animals fed rice bran. Plasma triglyceride and glucose levels also were lower in the rice bran groups compared to the control group.

The researchers concluded, “Rice bran fractions appear to have a beneficial dietary component that improves hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.”

Reference:
Ardiansyah, Shirakawa H, Koseki T, Ohinata K, Hashizume K, Komai M. Rice bran fractions improve blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Mar 8;54(5):1914-20.