BY JOB REALUBIT

AGRICULTURE Secretary Arthur Yap yesterday said Filipinos should eat more of the brown rice variety which he said has more health benefits than the white variety.

Yap, citing studies, said brown rice is a rich source of dietary fiber and is a healthier alternative for people suffering from diabetes, obesity and heart-related ailments, and has both preventive and curative properties for cancer.

A program spearheaded by the National Food Authority aims to encourage Filipinos to eat brown rice, or "pinawa" in Tagalog.

Brown rice is unpolished whole rice grain produced by removing only the hull or the outermost layer.

Research done by the Asia Rice Foundation shows the complete milling and polishing process in the conversion of brown rice to white rice destroys 15 percent of its protein, 85 percent of its fat, 90 percent of its calcium, 75 percent of its phosphorus, 80 percent of its thiamine, 70 percent of its riboflavin, and 68 percent of its niacin contents.

Studies of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that one cup of brown rice provides 88 percent of the daily requirement for manganese, a trace mineral that helps produce energy from protein and carbohydrates.

Manganese is also involved in the synthesis of fatty acids that are important for a healthy nervous system, and in the production of sex hormones.

Selenium is an essential component of several metabolic pathways including thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems and immune function.

The antioxidant actions of selenium are said to be helpful in the prevention of cancer, heart disease and in easing the symptoms of asthma and the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The same studies show one cup of brown rice provides 14 percent of the daily value for fiber, which has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels.

Fiber also helps in keeping blood sugar levels under control, protects against colon cancer, helps in normalizing bowel movements, and reduces constipation and diarrhea.