Rice Science Museum, in partnership with the RICEponsible campaign team, roved around Metro Manila and in Pampanga to educate the public on good nutrition this National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM).
Based in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the Department of Tourism-accredited museum, implemented a series of exhibits this November featuring brown and pigmented rices in parks, government offices, schools, and malls.
“We are doing these exhibits in support of this year’s NRAM theme, Be RICEponsible in your Own Way Now or BROWN4good. We display samples of healthier rices and the public can taste these types of rices,” Sophia Maria M. Cuevas, museum curator, said.
Based on studies, brown rice is nutritionally superior to white rice as the bran, which is kept during milling, contains fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.
Clinical studies further shows that regular consumption of brown rice may help reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, a study led by Dr. Marissa V. Romero of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), shows that pigmented rices have more anti-cancer contents than white rice as they contain more anthocyanin. Among the country’s popular pigmented rices include NSCI Rc19, Tapul, Ballatinaw, Calatrava, Dinorado, Kabankalan, La Castellanan, and Malido.
Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, PhilRice executive director, said that it is timely to promote the healthier rices with the recent data showing that 3 out of 10 Filipino adults are obese.
“We know the advantages of healthier rices. Other than these, we bring more goodness when we eat brown rice – not only the goodness for us, but also for the farmers and the country,” he said.
By consuming brown rice, Calixto said Filipinos are helping farmers put an added value on rice, making their product more competitive than the cheap imported rice.
“Of course, because of the 10% higher milling recovery of brown rice, we can help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency,” he added.
PhilRice, through the Rice Science Museum had disseminated the advantages of healthier rice, through exhibits in Quezon City Memorial Circle, Department of Agriculture, Bayanan Elementary School, House of Representatives, and Marquee Mall.
