The Nigerian local rice, which is often called “Ofada rice” or “Abakiliki rice,” has become popular and is preferred by many Nigerians because it is healthier than other types of rice (white rice). The words “Ofada” and “Abakiliki” come from two places in Nigeria (Mowe Ofada and Abakiliki) that are known for making this type of local rice. The name “Ofada” comes from Mowe Ofada in Ogun State, which is in the south-west of Nigeria. The name “Abakiliki” comes from Abakiliki in Ebonyi State, which is in the south-east of Nigeria.
Rice is one of the most important staple foods in Nigeria today. Almost no one in this part of the world doesn’t eat rice at least once a week. Most of the rice in Nigeria is polished rice, which has been through a number of steps or changes before it is sold on the market. The type of rice grown in the area is short-grained brown rice that is usually not polished or refined, so some of the bran is still there. It is sold on the market in the same shape as it is now.
People don’t often know that unpolished rice is better for your health than polished rice. Ofada rice is a type of Nigerian rice that is grown in Ogun State. It is short and has brown stripes before it is grown.
Ofada rice has a unique smell when it’s cooking, and it can keep itself fresh. It’s a good food for people who care about their health, like diabetics who have been told not to eat rice.
Is There any Difference Between Ofada Rice and Brown Rice?
Ofada rice is NOT the same as brown rice. Let me explain. There are two kinds of ofada rice: white and brown. The groups are based on the color, size, and shape of the seeds before they are ground. Ofada rice is different from brown rice, which has long, thin grains. Instead, it has short, fat brown or white grains.
The smell of brown ofada rice is often very strong, while the smell of white ofada rice is usually not strong. When cooked, they are known for getting bigger. It is sometimes processed using fermentation, which provides more aromatic quality.
Health Benefits of the Nigerian Ofada Rice
Here are some health benefits of the local rice in Nigeria, which is often called Ofada or Abakiliki rice.
1. It keeps the bones in good condition
The local Nigerian has a lot of magnesium, which is very important for healthy bones. With just one cup of this locally made, unpolished rice, you can get 21% of the magnesium you need for the day. Calcium can’t be taken in without magnesium either. Calcium is another important nutrient that our bones need to be as healthy as possible.
2. It cuts down on the chance of getting breast cancer
Local rice from Nigeria has a phytonutrient called “lignin” in it that helps lower the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. In a study of older women, it was found that eating unpolished rice raises the amount of Enterolactone in their bodies. Enterolactone is a phytoestrogen that is made in the gut by microflora from plant foods like grains that act as precursors. It has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer.
3. It lessens the chance of getting heart disease
It helps lower the risk of heart disease because it has a lot of fiber. It does this by lowering blood pressure and lowering the chance that plaque will build up in the arteries. This keeps heart disease from happening.
4. It lowers the cholesterol in the blood
The cholesterol level in the blood can be lowered by eating unpolished rice made in the area. This is possible because the rice has oil and fiber in it.
5. It helps keep the health of the nervous system in good shape
The high amount of magnesium in the locally grown, unpolished rice is important and helps keep the nervous system healthy. By making fatty acids and making cholesterontain, the nutrients also help the body make sex hormones.
6. It Prevents Constipation
Nigerian rice is very good for the digestive system because it helps people have healthy bowel movements and keeps them from getting constipated.
7. It helps keep the body’s weight at a healthy level
Locally made rice can help you keep your weight at a healthy level because it makes you feel full. This is because they have a lot of fiber, which keeps us from eating too many calories by making us feel full and less likely to eat too much.
8. It helps you keep your blood sugar level in check
Unpolished rice helps control diabetes and keep blood sugar levels in check. It does this because it has fibers that dissolve in water. When soluble fibers come in contact with water, they can swell up and turn into a thick gel. This gel slows down the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, giving the body more time to absorb the nutrients from the food. This slows down how quickly glucose gets into the blood.
9. It lessens how bad asthma is
Because it has a lot of manganese and magnesium, the locally grown, unpolished rice made in Nigeria can make asthma less severe.
Now that you know how good this locally made Nigerian rice is for your health, I think you will choose it over the polished foreign rice.
10. Aids digestion
Ofada rice has a high quantity of fiber—nearly three times as much as is found in polished rice—which assists in supporting sufficient digestion of meals in the human body while preventing the occurrence of any type of digestive issue.
In addition to this, the high levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber that are present in Ofada rice are beneficial in the treatment of conditions that are associated with the digestive system. These conditions include diarrhea, constipation, and others. The effectiveness of the insoluble fiber, in particular, in lowering the risk of gallstones in women has been demonstrated by a number of studies.
