Consumption of refined rice bran oil causes significant decrease in bad cholesterols as compared to consumption of groundnut oil and olive oil. This has been established in a randomized, open labelled clinical study conducted by Dr. Debasish Hota, Head of Departments of Pharmacology and Endocrinology at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research at Chandigarh and his team. Dr. Hota is currently the Prof.  & Head of Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, Bhubneshwar.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cooking oil substitution with either physically refined rice bran oil or extra virgin olive oil or groundnut oil on the lipid profile in patients with raised cholesterol levels. The study population consisted of 120 subjects from both sexes. Most of the study population was between 41-60 years. No diet restrictions and physical activity instructions were issued.

Olive oil was taken into study as it is known to reduce bad cholesterols attributable to the presence of a unique nutrient known as “polyphenols”. Since polyphenols are present in maximum quantities in the extra virgin variety of olive oil, a renowned international brand of extra virgin olive oil was used in the study. Rice bran oil was taken into the study as this oil contains a unique nutrient known as “Oryzanol” which is well known in the literature for its cholesterol lowering properties besides many other health benefits. “There are several studies on humans and animals showing that Oryzanol found in rice bran oil has the property of lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and total serum cholesterol and increasing the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) to some extent by influencing absorption of dietary cholesterol,” the study points out.

The efficacy conclusion of the study was that the percentage decrease in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride level was maximum and significant in rice bran oil group as compared to groundnut oil and extra virgin olive oil groups. “Keeping this result in view the study has concluded that rice bran oil is more effective for lipid profile management as compared to olive oil and groundnut oil,” says Dr. Hota.

Rice bran oil is unique edible oil produced from the oily layer of brown rice, which is separated as rice bran, while producing white rice. “It has the most ideally balanced fat composition, hence, can be used regularly without there being any need to switch between oils as is normally advised in respect of other conventional oils”, said Dr. A.R. Sharma, chairman of the SEA RBO Promotion Council. “Various research studies have proved that ‘Oryzanol’, which is uniquely found in rice bran oil, offers numerous health benefits besides lowering bad cholesterols. It is known to improve insulin sensitivity in Type-2 diabetics, protect liver, reduce hypertension, provide relief from gastric troubles, treat osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, keeps skin young and helpful in body building,” emphasizes Dr. Sharma. “The National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad has also endorsed some of the reported health benefits of Oryzanol. National Institute of Nutrition (The Apex body of Nutrition in India) in its recently released dietary guidelines has mentioned that Oryzanol found in rice bran oil is helpful in reducing cholesterol and oxidative damage due to ageing, inflammation which occur in chronic diseases”, he added.

For the last few decades, rice bran oil is being used as premium edible oil in countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan & Thailand. In Japan, it is popularly known as “Heart Oil” because of its scientifically proven cholesterol lowering properties. It has acquired the status of “Health Food” in US Markets. Recently Indian Markets too have witnessed some of the good brands of Refined Rice Bran Oil. “The demand for Rice Bran Oil has grown considerably in the country because of its multiple health benefits. India is the largest producer of Rice Bran Oil although it is second largest producer of rice after China. It has the potential to produce over 14 lakh tonnes of Rice Bran Oil, however currently it produces about 9 lakh tonnes, of which only 3 lakh tonnes are used as edible oil while the rest is used by vanaspati industry or blended with other oils and sold as branded products,” said Dr. B.V. Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). “It is our constant endeavour to support the small players to create visibility in retail chains and educate the consumers about the benefit of this unique oil,” he added.