Rice is the center of many meals across the world, and it has many fantastic benefits. It is a great source of energy, is inexpensive and is easy to cook.
Conventionally, rice is cooked before it is eaten and this is the only way that it should be prepared! It is not safe to eat uncooked rice, and doing so could cause many health problems.
This article will explore the issues that come with eating raw rice, as well as some of the alternative ways that you can use this rice. Let’s dive in!
Risks Of Eating Raw Rice
Consuming raw rice can be very dangerous, and it has been linked to many different health concerns. These include:
Food Poisoning
Consuming raw rice poses a very possible risk of contracting food poisoning. This is because rice is known to harbor very harmful bacteria. This bacteria was present in almost half of the uncooked rice that was sampled in a study.
It is the same bacteria that is commonly found in soil. The high temperatures that rice is usually cooked in will minimize the growth of this bacteria, making it much less likely to cause food poisoning.
If you consume this bacteria, you may experience stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea within 30 minutes of consumption.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Raw rice can also cause issues with your digestion. This is because it contains lectins which may reduce your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Again, this can lead to vomiting and diarrhea because it can damage the wall of your gut.
Other Health Concerns
Some people crave raw rice. This can be problematic as it could indicate an eating disorder known as pica. Those with this disorder crave non-nutritive foods.
Those who consume lots of raw rice because of pica experience side effects like anemia, tooth damage and hair loss.
While it is very rare to suffer from pica, it can be very dangerous. If you suspect that you or anyone you know may be experiencing this eating disorder, speak to a doctor immediately to avoid any complications.
Does Consuming Raw Rice Have Any Benefits?
Consuming raw rice does not have any benefits. It comes with lots of risks and adverse health consequences.
Raw foods have become very popular in recent years, including raw fish in sushi, and raw vegetables. However, raw rice does not have any benefits and should be avoided.
What Can You Use Uncooked Rice For?
While you should avoid eating uncooked rice, you can still use it around the house. If you want to find a use for your uncooked rice so that it doesn’t go to waste, consider some of the following options.
Make A Homemade Ice Pack
If you have a large amount of raw rice lying around that you don’t want, consider making an ice pack. Simply take an old sock and fill it with rice. Tie a knot at the end of the sock and store it in the freezer until you need to use it.
Make A Homemade Heat Pad
To make a heat pad, do the same as above, but instead of placing the sock in the freezer, instead, place it in the microwave for around 30 seconds.
Preventing Rust
Rust is often formed because metal becomes moist or wet. Rice is very good at drying things out. So, if you want to prevent your toolbox from becoming rusty, simply place a small amount of uncooked rice into your toolbox.
The rice will absorb any excess moisture, meaning that your tools are much less likely to rust.
You can also do this with your silverware. If you want to prevent it from tarnishing, keep a small amount of uncooked rice in the drawer with the silverware. The rice will absorb any excess moisture and prevent it from becoming rusty.
Save Your Phone From Water!
We’ve all had that horrible panic when we drop our phone in the washing-up bowl or down the toilet! After you’ve frantically fished it out of the water, the best place for it to go is a bowl of rice!
Submerge your phone into the rice and leave it there for as long as possible (we’re talking days), to allow the rice to soak up the moisture. It works and is a great use for your uncooked rice!
Unsticking Salt
When the air becomes humid, your salt may clump together in your salt shaker. If this happens, it will block the holes in the shaker, preventing you from being able to use it properly.
To prevent this, add a few grains of rice into your salt shaker alongside the salt. This will absorb the moisture, preventing the salt from sticking.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! The answer to this one is plain and simple, you should never eat uncooked rice. It is not safe and it can have many detrimental effects on your health and well-being.
There are lots of other uses for uncooked rice, so steer clear of eating it!
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
