The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) supports the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in promoting proper nutrition through month-long activities conducted in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The Institute promotes balanced nutrition by encouraging the public to diversify diet by eating brown rice and other nutritious staple food such as corn and kamote.
Led by Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division (RCFSD), the institute’s Nutrition Month celebration highlighted a feeding activity at San Andres Elementary School in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Around 300 students were served with
brown rice arroz caldo and malunggay pandesal. PhilRice also donated brown rice, fruits, vegetable seeds, and biscuits to students.
Other activities include Institute-wide zumba competition and seminar series titled Food security and protection: Updates on quality, defense, and safety and How exercise improves memory and thinking skills on 29 July.
The RCFSD served nutri-rice milk, a product developed by PhilRice filled with germinated brown rice and buffalo’s milk, during the said activities. The product is a source of protein, fiber, iron, and calcium.
According to RCFSD, frequent consumption of brown rice may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Studies show that polishing brown rice to obtain white rice removes 15% of proteins; 85%, fats; 80%, thiamine; 70% riboflavin; and 68%, niacin;. Polishing also reduces calcium by 90%; phosphorous, 75%; and other minerals, 60%.