Hi Laupinpin,
Brown rice is considered better for you because it contains the husks, which add both fiber and essential nutrients to your diet. By removing the husks, you are left with little but starch. That is why most of the white rice sold in the Western world is "enriched", having the nutrients artificially replaced.
In many countries where polished rice is not enriched, Beriberi, a serious disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitam B-1), is relatively common.
White rice became something of dietary staple, not only for taste, but in many Asian countries for the fact that it was something of an indicator of status. Due to the fairly intensive labor involved in manually processing such rice, not everyone could afford it.
In feudal Japan, rice or "koku" was so highly valued it was freely traded as currncy for other goods.
Hope this helps. Take care. :)
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