Raw rice (uncooked rice), is very crunchy and tasteless, which becomes a good snack. Eating raw rice now and then is a normal habit for many. But researchers claim that eating raw rice is not good for health. There are many types of food or grains which can be eaten without cooking, but rice is not among them!
The side effects are explained below.
Causes Indigestion
Naturally, rice has a coating on top of it called “Cellulose”, which protects the grains from getting damaged. Human digestive system does not have the capacity to breakdown the cellulose and digest it. Hence, our body does not get the benefits from rice and also finds it very difficult to digest the raw rice.
This issue leads to stomach aches and problems in the intestines.
Pica
Pica is a condition where a person has a compulsion to eat non-nutritive thing or substance like sand, paper, wall paint, salt, rice or chalks. Deficiency in certain minerals and vitamins might lead to Pica condition. Iron and Zinc deficiency can play a major role in this condition.
Pica might also arise when someone is addicted to eating something nutrition-less because of the texture of the substance.
Bacillus cereus (bacteria)
Uncooked food usually contains a bacteria called Bacillus cereus. There are many strains of this particular bacteria which can do good and bad for your body. When you cook food and consume, this type of bacteria gets destroyed and it does not affect the internal system. When this bacteria enters our body, it becomes toxic and causes nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Lectin
Lectin is a type of protein present in grains and some vegetables. This protein consumption can lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and digestive disorders. Lectin becomes inactive or eliminated when the food is cooked in high temperature. When there is too much lectin in your body, there are chances of diabetes and cancer.
When you or someone eat way too much raw rice, you need consult a doctor and take necessary supplements to correct the deficiency. You can replace raw rice to something like calcium tablets which is also tasteless.
Though eating raw food for health is becoming a trend now a days, make sure you don’t spoil your health by eating something bad. Choose the right food and cook accordingly.
Kripa Sivasubramanian, MBA, earned her Master’s degree in Business. After a long stint in the Technology sector, she took up courses in natural medicine and yoga. Ms. Kripa is certified in Ayurvedic yoga for Dosha. She is also certified by Stanford University School of Medicine in Introduction to Food and Health.
8 replies on “Why is eating raw rice bad for you”
Will eating raw rice causes hair fall
Definitely not.
Does it affect uterus or affect in pregnancy
Eating un cook rice is my hanbit specially when i stress in my work this not good for body
Yes – it isn’t good.
My bad habit. I probably snack about a 1/2 cup a day. Though I don’t find it tasteless, on most I find it subtly sweet, sometimes a batch might taste somewhat burnt. Occasionally it tastes a bit nasty and I won’t eat any uncooked from that bag. Digestion problems… I can only say days I eat more I get that “too much fiber” effect. Dentists do not approve of grinding nor eating hard things like dry pasta, rice, ice cubes..btw.
Very Interesting & Informative
can eating raw a lot of it cause ulcers in the stomach
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