TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - White rice is a staple food for many people, including in Indonesia. While most people prefer freshly cooked, warm rice, some choose to eat cold rice for practical or health reasons.
What many may not realize is that hot and cold rice differ in how they affect the body, particularly the digestive system. According to Healthline, cold rice offers several health benefits, primarily due to an increase in resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.
Here are 7 health benefits of eating cold rice you should know:
1. Improved Digestive Health
Resistant starch turns into retrograded starch that acts as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in the gut and supporting a healthier digestive system.
2. Blood Sugar Control
A study showed that eating cold rice cooled for 24 hours at 4°C, then reheated, significantly reduced post-meal blood sugar spikes, especially for diabetes patients.
3. Appetite Regulation
The fermentation of resistant starch in the gut produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which stimulate hormones like GLP-1 and peptide YY. These hormones help regulate appetite.
4. Improved Insulin Sensitivity
These same hormones also enhance insulin sensitivity, offering benefits for people concerned about diabetes.
5. Reduced Abdominal Fat
By promoting fat regulation and increasing insulin efficiency, resistant starch may help reduce belly fat.
6. Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Obesity Effects
Due to its impact on blood sugar, insulin response, and fat storage, resistant starch is considered beneficial for preventing or managing diabetes and obesity.
7. Lower Cholesterol Levels
Regular intake of resistant starch, such as that found in cold rice, may also help reduce cholesterol.
However, eating cold rice is not without risks. Improper storage of cooked rice can lead to food poisoning, most commonly from a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. This bacteria is found in soil and can contaminate raw rice. Even after cooking, the spores from this bacteria can survive and multiply if rice is left at room temperature too long.
Symptoms of Bacillus cereus poisoning (such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting) can appear within 15 to 30 minutes of consumption. The risk increases when rice is left in the “danger zone” of 4 to 60 degrees Celsius, where bacteria grow rapidly.
Although anyone can get food poisoning from rice, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable because of their weaker immune systems.
To minimize the risk, follow these safe storage guidelines for cold rice:
Cool rice quickly within one hour after cooking. Spread it in a shallow container and place it in an ice bath or near cold air for faster cooling.
Store rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not stack it in large quantities, as this slows down the cooling process.
Never leave rice at room temperature for more than two hours. If it’s been left out longer, it’s safest to discard it.
Keep stored rice below five degrees Celsius.
Refrigerated rice is safe to eat for up to three or four days.
If you plan to reheat cold rice, ensure it reaches at least 74 degrees Celsius to kill any harmful bacteria.
In summary, cold rice (when cooled and stored properly) can offer notable health benefits due to its resistant starch content. It may improve gut health, stabilize blood sugar, and help manage cholesterol.
However, handling and storage are key. When stored incorrectly, cold rice can become a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
Enjoying cold or reheated rice safely starts with good kitchen habits. With proper care, cold rice can be a nutritious and safe addition to your meals
Editor's Choice: Maintaining Liver Health: 5 Tips to Protect Your Vital Organ
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Says Coca-Cola Agrees to Switch Sweetener to Cane Sugar in U.S.
17 jam lalu
Apart from health concerns, some people perceive Trump's request for Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar as politically motivated.
Maintaining Liver Health: 5 Tips to Protect Your Vital Organ
2 hari lalu
Liver damage can impede the function of this vital organ and trigger various serious health disorders.
Indonesians Losing Rp99tn per Year to Adulterated Rice, Minister Says
2 hari lalu
Indonesians suffer losses amounting to Rp99.35 trillion due to adulterated rice circulating in the markets.
How to Keep Your Ears Healthy
3 hari lalu
Maintaining ear health is an important part of maintaining hearing quality and daily life. Here are some tips to maintain your ear health.
8 High-Cholesterol Foods You Should Avoid
5 hari lalu
High-cholesterol foods are often not noticed and recognized before it's too late to avoid. High cholesterol can have a negative impact on health.
10 Expert Tips for Rapid and Healthy Weight Loss
5 hari lalu
Tips for rapid and healthy weight loss often highlight various strategies, from unique metabolic boosts to disciplined eating and exercise.
What Happens to Your Body When You Don't Eat for a Day?
6 hari lalu
Going without eating foods for a full day, commonly referred to as fasting, is often practiced by individuals following a diet.
Mattel Introduces First Barbie Representing Type 1 Diabetes Survivors
8 hari lalu
Mattel collaborates with a global organization specifically for type 1 diabetes to launch a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes.
Indonesia to Send 10,000 Tons of Rice to Palestine
11 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has asked Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman to provide rice aid to Palestine.
Prabowo Highlights Climate Change, Global Health Crisis at BRICS Summit
11 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highlighted climate change and global health crisis while attending the BRICS summit.
