Rice nutrition factsRice is an excellent source of energy, especially energy-giving carbohydrates, which are used in the body for brain performance, physical activity, bodily functions and everyday growth and repair.After carbohydrate, protein is the second most abundant constituent of rice. When compared to that of other grains, rice protein is considered one of the highest quality proteins.Rice is low in fat and cholesterol free.Rice contains negligible amounts of sodium, with less than 5mg sodium per 100g serve. It is therefore a super food for those who need to watch their salt intake.Both white and brown varieties of rice contain essential vitamins and minerals, including B-group vitamins (e.g. thiamin, niacin) zinc and phosphorus. Brown rice contains more nutrients and fibre than white rice since it retains the bran and germ, where many of the vitamins and minerals are found.The bran layer of brown rice provides valuable dietary fibre. One cup (160g) of cooked brown rice contains around 2.4g of dietary fibre, which equates to 8% of an average man's daily fibre needs and 9.6% of an average woman's daily fibre needs.Rice is gluten free and the most non-allergenic of all grains.To retain nutrients, do not rinse rice under water before or after cooking.Brown rice contains natural oils in the bran, so it has a shorter shelf life than white rice. It's best to refrigerate or freeze brown rice to extend its shelf life. Rice consumption factsRice is an ancient cereal grain that nourishes two-thirds of the world's population.There are more than 40,000 different varieties of rice. Of the 40,000 varieties, more than 100 grow world-wide, but only around 10% are marketed and sold.Rice provides 20% (that's one fifth) of the world's dietary energy supply.Interesting facts and figures regarding rice.The Chinese word for rice is the same as their word for foodRice is the main food for half the people in the world.Rice is a symbol of life and fertility, which is why it was a tradition to throw it at weddings, confetti has now replaced rice.To see how many children a newlywed couple will have, the Finns count the number of grains of rice in the brides hair.Grains of rice in a salt cellar will help to keep the salt free flowing.Rice is cultivated in over 100 countries and on every continent except Antarctica.There are over 29,000 grains of rice in one pound of long grain rice.The average person in the UK eats approximately 4.4kg of rice each year.On cooking, rice swells to give at least three times its original weight. 96% of the worlds rice is eaten in the area in which it is grown. Most rice is consumed in the country where it is produced. Only 5 per cent of the world's total is exported.Thailand ships the most: about 5 million tonnes a year. The United States is second with nearly 3 million tons, and Vietnam third, with 2 million tonnes.News on rice production in Nigeria President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has declared that the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice production by Nigeria is a top priority of his administration. Speaking at a meeting with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, at the State House on Tuesday, August 16, President Jonathan said that domestic self-sufficiency in rice production was one of the major assignments he has given to the new Minister of Agriculture.'Before we leave office in 2015, we must stop the importation of rice to Nigeria. There is no reason why Nigeria should be importing rice. We have all that is needed to grow enough for domestic consumption and have a surplus we can export to other countries,' President Jonathan said.Every investment in rice production is in right direction, let us join hands to make Nigeria self sufficient in rice production. It is achievable!
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