Eat Me: Five health benefits of ofada rice

Ofada rice is a local variety of rice grown in the southwestern part of Nigeria, particularly in Ogun state. It is believed to have been named after Ofada town, where it was first cultivated.

It is unpolished rice that is highly sought-after due to its unique flavour and taste. Ofada rice is traditionally boiled and served in a leaf with a spicy sauce filled with locust beans popularly called Ayamase.

This local rice is filled with lots of nutrients ranging from zinc, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin B1 and more.

Here are some of the health benefits you would enjoy when you add it to your diet.

• Aids digestion

Ofada rice helps improve the digestive system and makes digestion easy due to the dietary fiber present in it.

A study has shown that Ofada rice contains more phosphorus and fiber in raw, cooked, and soaked states than imported rice.

These nutrients also help in reducing the risk of bowel disorders, constipation, bloating, and other gastrointestinal cancers such as gastric ulcers.

• Prevents neurodegenerative disease

Ofada rice improves cognitive reasoning and prevents neurodegenerative diseases — health conditions that affect the neurons like Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.

According to a study, the content of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) found in germinated brown rice like ofada helps calm the nerves thereby preventing these diseases.

• Lowers bad cholesterol level

Ofada should be added to your diet if you want to let go of those high cholesterols due to their selenium content.

Low cholesterol in the body means a healthy heart which eventually leads to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Ofada also helps keep diabetes in control. A study has shown that its low glycemic index controls blood glucose levels thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.

• Strengthens the bone

There is a great amount of folate, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus in ofada. All of these nutrients play important role in building and maintaining healthy and strong bones in the body.

Ofada is also recommended to avoid bone-related diseases.

• Aids weight loss

Replacing white rice with ofada can help you lose weight. Yes, it can because it is a low-calorie and gluten-free food and also contains high fiber levels.

These nutrients help increase your satiety and prevent you from consuming excess calories that can make you gain weight.

To learn how to prepare ofada rice, click here.