Say yes to healthy, no to tasty

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry urged the public to consume healthy rice instead of tasty rice because consuming tasty rice leads to many health problems including diabetes.

"It is the responsibility of the public to look after their health, " a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman a Health Ministry study found that 80 percent of the rice available in the Sri Lankan market does not have required nutrients (bran ) and is unhealthy.

The rice available in the market does not have the inner cover of the rice (bran). The rice is thoroughly polished using machines during processing. Raw rice (rice with bran/ inner cover) is best for health and contain nutrients. But when polished, the rice is tasty, the spokesman said.

The Healthy Ministry Non Communicable Disease Unit had discovered that when 22 kilograms of rice is being processed, two and half kilograms of the part which contain all nutrients (bran residue/bran/raw part) get collected. "This two and half kilograms of nutritious food is sent to the market as food for pigs and cows, he said.

"The nutritious part of the rice (raw rice) helps lower many NCDs especially diabetes, high blood pressure and helps maintain good eye sight. It contains vitamins. The ministry will take action soon to offer healthy rice," the spokesman, added.