It's a widely know fact that bran works wonders for the human body.<br />We are learning that it may be even healthier than we'd ever imagined.<br />A group of local researchers have discovered previously unknown properties of rice bran that could help prevent obesity.<br />Paul Yi has more. <br />About 500,000 tons of rice bran is produced every year in Korea after rice is polished.<br />Thirty percent of the residue is used in cosmetics or livestock feed, while the rest is discarded.<br />But a group of local researchers has recently discovered evidence that special properties in rice bran could be beneficial in preventing obesity.<br />They released the results early this month.<br /><br />The researchers conducted a test in which a control group of mice was fed high-fat foods, while an experimental group was fed high-fat foods and given an injection of rice bran extract.<br />After six weeks, the mice in the control group gained 44 percent more weight, but the group that was given the rice bran injections showed a significant difference in weight gain of only 33 percent.<br /><br /><br />"The mice given the rice bran extract injections gained significantly less weight and there was a reduction in the amount of fat in the liver cells."<br /><br />The difference was also noticeable in the size of fatty tissues and cells. <br />The mice in the high-fat control group had enlarged cells, but the mice in the rice bran group saw no change in their fatty tissues.<br />The researchers discovered that certain bioactive components in rice bran helped decrease the proportion of fat in the body.<br /><br /><br />"Through animal testing, we've proven that rice bran is effective in fighting obesity. It could be used to make health-functional food or medicine."<br /><br />After confirming the effectiveness and safety of rice bran in humans, the researchers anticipate the results will transform the unused raw material into a high-value product while tackling the oversupply of rice in the country.<br />Sohn Jung-in, Arirang News.
