Rice starch: benefits and harms, scope
Starch is a common ingredient in every kitchen. But along with the usual wheat, corn and potato composition, another variety of it can also be used. We are talking about rice starch.
Peculiarities
It is known that wheat fruits contain up to ¾ of starch. But in the rice grain, its amount is noticeably higher - sometimes it reaches 86%. This substance is one of the key types of carbohydrates in plant foods. If certain conditions are violated, starch poisoning may occur. Plants use this substance to provide a cycle of reproduction.
Benefit and harm
Raw starch seeps through the mucous membrane very well. Therefore, it overcomes the walls of the intestine rapidly. As a result, the microflora imbalance is disturbed, and blood-insoluble molecules become toxic to the body. In any case, raw starch is desirable to be removed from the diet, simply by subjecting plant foods to heat treatment. Otherwise, you may encounter:
- fibromyalgia;
- diabetes insipidus;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- depressive states;
- Parkinson's disease;
- gout;
- imbalance of substances in the blood;
- severe forms of cancer.
Some researchers believe that there is a danger to the nervous system. They note that excessive heating intensity, on the contrary, leads to the appearance of toxic acrylamide. The same substance is also a powerful carcinogen.But this issue has not yet been fully investigated, and there is an opinion that the danger of acrylamide is exaggerated. In the meantime, consumers only have to observe the exact balance so that the heat treatment is carried out, but without overheating and in a short time.
How rice starch is made
If people still know something about the properties of this product, then they are the least aware of its receipt, and it is time to solve this problem. To obtain starch from rice cereal, you need:
- crush;
- soak;
- treat with some sulfuric acid.
Rice starch can be stored for a very long time. Due to its attractive appearance, it becomes the best choice for decorating confectionery products. With this product, you can reproduce the sensations usually created by fat, cream and milk. At the same time, fat reduction is achieved with a consistently pleasant surface texture. Such a technique can give equally good results not only in the hands of professionals, but also at home.
How to apply this substance?
How rice starch is used is determined by the variety of the original product. Certain types of starch help replace gelatin. Such a substance is needed to make puddings and white sauces derived from milk. But it is also in demand in cosmetology and in the perfume industry. The starch mass absorbs sweat and sebum, reliably covering the epidermis from destructive factors. Rice starch can be a valuable help in the course of taking baths. It relieves irritation and refreshes the skin. Such protection is the most natural and does not give negative effects.
But the culinary and perfume industries consume only a small fraction of the starch produced from rice.Much more of it is needed in the production of paper and cardboard, in the production of medicines and building materials.
It is often asked whether rice starch can be introduced into the diet of young children. The answer is yes: this substance is needed when preparing mashed vegetables and fruits, with its help the dish is made thicker. The complete absence of additional taste eliminates the situation when children would refuse food. Usually starch is used at 4 months and later, when the digestive system will allow the breakdown of the substance with the formation of glucose.
For your information: when using rice starch for cosmetic purposes, you need to work with it in the same way as with other varieties.
To eliminate negative consequences, you need:
- consume less flour;
- cook rice starch and dishes based on it only after processing on low heat;
- use only first-class varieties of cereal;
- chew food more actively so that splitting begins even upon contact with saliva;
- combine starch-rich foods with foods rich in enzymes;
- do not get carried away with excessive doses of the product.
Reduce the concentration of starch in rice helps its main property - solubility in water. To free the cereal from it to the maximum extent, you will have to wash the product several times. In this case, washing is carried out until the water stops turning white. You also need to choose options for cereals: white rice contains 78% starch, and whole rice contains 3% less. But in rice flour, the concentration of polysaccharide reaches 79%.
See an example of a starch-based face mask below.