Extra rice mo diha!
Every November, we have a list of holiday varieties to celebrate. Among those holidays, this one holds a special place to our Filipino hearts. Well, technically to our stomachs.
Today, we celebrate the National Rice Awareness Month to highlight the importance of a healthier, and safer locally produced rice. This awareness month encourages Filipinos to choose rice grown by our local farmers, as it tends to have lower pesticide exposure compared to important rice. Don’t mean to brag for us, but the Philippines do have one of the healthiest rice in the world, in fact with much more different kinds like pigmented and brown rice.
To commemorate this month-long awareness, it often includes rice exhibits, trivia games about rice, and efforts to promote healthier rice choices.
A WALK THROUGH HISTORY
In terms of history, rice is an essential food for over half of the global population. Let’s keep this history lesson short. The earliest domestication of rice is thought to have happened in China’s Yangtze River basin. Research shows that two main types of Asian rice, indica and japonica, both originated from a single domestication event between 13,500 and 8,200 years ago from wild rice.
Later studies suggest that japonica was domesticated first and introduced to India, where indica rice developed around 4,500 years ago. This shows how rice’s cultivation and spread have deep historical roots around Asia.
RICE WITH BENEFITS
This month isn’t just about rice, nor the grain itself. There’s more to life than just food. We eat because our body needs to digest, and what’s more important than eating food? Their health benefits. This month focuses on healthier rice options, like brown and pigmented rice. These types of rice are nutrient-dense, providing fiber, minerals, and carbohydrates.
Brown Rice, unlike white rice, has more fiber, B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, and B9), magnesium, potassium, and iron. Studies suggest that replacing white rice with brown rice can help regulate blood sugar and support weight control which is important for metabolism.
Pigmented Rice (black and red rice) are rich in antioxidants, which protects the body’s cells from damage. Pigmented rice is a source of health promoting properties, including reduced oxidative stress and potential prevention of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Promoting rice awareness this month is about highlighting healthier, and more sustainable choices that benefit both individuals and the community, especially to those local farmers who put in the blood, sweat, and tears to grow that rice you’re eating on your plate right now. Honor their hard work by not letting rice go to waste. Be a rice-ponsible Filipino!
