Natarajan Krishnaswami wrote:

Though whfoods.com declares that "white rice is simply a refined starch
that is largely bereft of its original nutrients", the above stats show
that this is simply not the case.

Look at the data a little differently:

Nutrient Brown White % lost in
%DV %DV milling
---------------------------------------
Fiber 18% 3% 83%
Vitamin B1 17% 3% 82%
Vitamin B3 21% 4% 81%
Magnesium 26% 6% 77%
Manganese 50% 21% 58%
Phosphorus 23% 10% 57%
Vitamin B6 22% 12% 45%
Selenium 35% 22% 37%
Tryptophan 19% 16% 16%

I think it's reasonable to say that these data support the statement
that polished rice is "largely bereft of its original nutrients".

Only because in its natural form, rice doesn't seem to have much to
offer to begin with. The reputation of brown rice is quite out of
proportion of its actual nutritional merits.

Take a multi-vitamin supplement and enjoy white rice. Or better yet,
incorporate some ground flaxseed into your diet, mixed with white rice
even. Flaxseeds -- a true nutritional powerhouse:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...dspice&dbid=81

The intact bran also keeps the starches from hydrolyzing as much while
cooking, which reduces the speed with which eating it makes blood
sugar rise (compared to the same rice if polished).

This is a legitimate reason for dining on brown rice. For those with
concerns, that is.

--crymad