Brown rice has been added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approved list of whole grains that may make health claims including reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Brown rice, along with many other grains was previously excluded because its dietary fiber content was considered too low, but this requirement has been relaxed. Under the reform, all single ingredient whole grain foods are eligible to make the health claim as long as they meet broad health claim requirements. Flax may soon be able to make the same claim with the requirements relaxation.

For the first time, FDA states that all single ingredient whole grain foods qualify for the claim regardless of whether they meet the requirements for a minimum level of dietary fiber, as long as they meet the other general health claim requirements. The dietary fiber requirements were established in 1999 in order to monitor compliance with the claim.

FDA now states that compliance for single ingredient whole grain foods will be monitored by examining package ingredient statements, not through fiber content. The science on which the health claim is based clearly acknowledges that health benefits of whole grains are independent of their fiber content.

The health claim means brown rice products will be able to bear a whole grains logo and information pointing out the benefits of consuming whole grains. The claim states: "Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some caners."

U.S. Dietary guidelines recommend "making half of all grain servings whole" or consuming three whole grain servings per day in the average 2000 calorie diet. Yet data from a recent consumer surveys show that the majority of Americans (65 percent) don’t eat anywhere near this amount.

One hundred percent whole grain brown rice is an economical, nutritious and versatile food. With only the inedible hull removed, brown rice contains antioxidants, anthocyanins, phytosterols, tocopherols, oryzanol and other nutrients that have been found to help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, type-2 diabetes and aid in weight maintenance. It also possesses 15 vitamins and minerals, including B- vitamins, potassium, magnesium, selenium, iron, and two grams of fiber per one half cup of cooked rice. According to a survey conducted by EATING WELL magazine and the USA Rice Federation:

• 87 percent of U.S. consumers know that whole grains are good for them.
• 80 percent know whole grains can be protective against cardiovascular disease, but less than two thirds are aware they also offer protection against certain cancers.
• While 80 percent consumers know that brown rice is a whole grain, more than 80 percent also mistakenly think that bran cereal and breads marked simply as "wheat" are also whole grains.
• 80 percent of individuals said they would be likely to eat more whole grains if these foods were clearly labeled as whole grains.
• 68 percent said they would increase consumption if the health benefits were stated on the package.
  

BeautynHealth.com provides the above amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants produced by FTH and Montiff Nutraceutical companies. The purity of these brands greatly surpasses the minimum requirements for USP (United States Pharmacopeia), JP (Japanese Pharmacopeia) and EP (European Pharmacopeia).