Rice water is an excellent home remedy to treat diarrhea at all ages, including babies, as it is able to promote intestinal regulation and prevent dehydration, favoring a quick recovery.
In addition, it also guarantees other health benefits, as rice water has antioxidants, which are compounds that help care for skin and hair, in addition to preventing premature aging.
Rice water is very easy to prepare and use at home, as you can directly use the water from the pan in which the rice was prepared for your everyday meal.
Main benefits
The main benefits of consuming rice water are:
1. Fight diarrhea
Rice water helps combat diarrhea, as it has a “aggregating effect” on the digestive system, reducing bowel movements and forming firmer, bulkier stools.
However, rice water should not be ingested alone, it is important that its consumption is accompanied by the intake of oral rehydration salts and an easily digestible diet to help combat diarrhea, as well as the use of medications that may have been recommended by the doctor.
Rice water also helps prevent dehydration in cases of diarrhea, as it provides the body with fluids.
Additionally, when prepared with salt, rice water can be used as an alternative to homemade serum or oral rehydration salts, as it helps replace electrolytes and water that are lost during episodes of diarrhea.
3. Protect the skin
Rice water is capable of protecting the skin against the sun’s rays, as it has an antioxidant called aminobenzoic acid and which, according to some scientific studies, could also help prevent melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer.
4. Take care of your hair health
One of the components of rice water is inositol, which is a compound that helps maintain the health of cells in general, not only because it forms part of their membranes, but also because it has antioxidant properties.
In this way, rice water could help repair damage to hair fibers, protecting them from harmful substances, such as UV rays or contamination, promoting healthy growth.
5. Prevent premature aging
Rice water has several compounds with antioxidant properties, such as inositol, ferulic acid and gamma-oryzanol, which prevent damage caused by free radicals in cells.
Some scientific studies suggest that rice water could improve skin hydration, elasticity and prevent the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines.
Furthermore, there is also evidence that rice water is capable of inhibiting the action of elastase and tyrosinase, which are enzymes involved in premature aging.
6. Fight acne and pimples
Rice water can also help fight acne and pimples, as it is rich in starch with astringent action, which helps cleanse the skin by closing pores, reducing skin oiliness.
Read too: Diet to eliminate pimples: what to eat and what to avoid
7. Improve gut health
Rice water, as it is fermented, has probiotic action, helping to improve intestinal health, protecting against constipation or helping to combat diarrhea.
8. Strengthen the immune system
Rice water, when consumed regularly, can help strengthen the immune system, as it is rich in B vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and zinc, improving the body’s response to infections.
9. Increase energy
Rice water is rich in carbohydrates and can therefore increase energy, preventing tiredness or fatigue.
10. Relieve menstrual cramps
Rice water is rich in magnesium, which helps relax the uterus and reduce the production of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory substances, and thus helps relieve menstrual cramps.
Read too: 28 foods rich in magnesium
How to make rice water
To prepare rice water, no special ingredients are needed and it can be easily prepared at home using directly the water from the pan that was used to make the rice.
To do this, you must add 3 tablespoons of white rice for every 2 cups of water, and let it cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Once ready, the whitish water must be strained and stored in a jar in the refrigerator for a maximum of 1 week.
Read too: Health benefits of rice and how to do it
How to use rice water
The way to use rice water varies depending on the benefit you want, which includes:
- For diarrhea: it is recommended to drink 1 liter of rice water per day until the diarrhea disappears;
- For hair: wash with shampoo and rinse and then add rice water and massage the scalp. Leave to act for 5 minutes and rinse with plenty of water;
- For the skin: wash your face with rice water or use it during a shower to wash your skin, once a week.
The ideal is to use rice water with the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist to make the most of its benefits.
Read too: Rice flour: 8 benefits and how to make it (with recipes)
Possible side effects
So far, no side effects have been identified and, therefore, the use of rice water is considered safe.
However, it is important to be aware of signs of allergy and irritation when used on the skin, as some people are more sensitive.
Furthermore, when consumed in excess, rice water can cause constipation.
Who shouldn’t use
Rice water should not be ingested by people who are allergic to rice or who have some skin diseases, in which case it is important to consult a dermatologist before starting to use it.
