Superfood Spotlight: Rice Bran and Germ Powder

Are you familiar with our Natural Traditions Rice Bran & Germ Powder? While some are, many of you might not think that you are aware of this delicious nutrient dense superfood. BUT, we’ll ask you another question - have you heard of tocos? Tocotrienols aka tocos is derived from stabilized rice bran powder aka our Natural Traditions Rice Bran & Germ Powder! Although this superfood is essentially the outside hull of rice and bran kernels, it is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. Our rice bran & germ powder is also kosher and of course, non-GMO. Wondering what it’s good for and how to use it? Keep reading!

Botanical Name: Oryza Sativa

AKA: Rice Bran Solubles/ Powder, Tocotrienols, Tocos

Organic Remedy: Detox, Antioxidants, Vitamin E, Essential Fatty Acids

Plant Family: Poaceae

Native To: Asia

Country of Origin: USA

Supplement Forms: Powder

Taste: Notes of vanilla, naturally sweet and nutty tasting

Benefits of Rice Bran & Germ Powder:

Natural Traditions Rice Bran and Germ Powder is essentially the ground up polishings of what is removed when brown rice is milled and turned into white rice. By removing the hull of the bran and leaving only the white kernel, you’re actually stripping away the nutrients from the rice. This is why you’ve probably heard many people claim that brown rice is superior to white rice - which is definitely true from a nutritional standpoint. 65% of the nutritional value found in rice comes from the hull of the grain even though it only makes up around 8% of the whole kernel. By removing and stripping down the hull and the bran, you’re throwing away the best nutrients!

Rice bran and germ powder is a low glycemic, nutrient dense superfood that contains vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids. The ORAC value of around 28 grams of rice bran and germ powder is roughly 5,740 and it’s host to over 110 known antioxidants. If you’re unfamiliar with what an ORAC value is, check out our blog post on antioxidants here! Essentially, the ORAC value is a measurement of the antioxidant capacity of different foods.

While most rice bran and germ powder has been treated/ produced under high heat in order to prolong the shelf life, our rice bran and germ powder is produced using a unique mechanical stabilization process which de-activates the lipase in the rice bran and germ while ensuring that the optimal stability of the delicate vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are preserved.

Rice bran and germ powder is an excellent source of not only whole food B vitamins but E vitamins as well

Vitamin E aka is made up of eight different compounds, 4 of which are called tocopherols and the other four tocotrienols. This is why rice bran and germ powder is popularly referred to as tocos. Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant that helps to protect your cell membranes against damage while preventing further oxidative stress. When your body is under oxidative stress caused by inflammation, a long list of negative repercussions can occur. Eating a diet rich in vitamin E can also help in preventing heart disease and may even treat high blood pressure. It aids in balancing cholesterol levels, repairs damaged skin, thickens hair and may even help in balancing hormones. Due to its wide range of benefits, vitamin E is also critical for the proper development of infants and young children, which is why many doctors recommend vitamin E supplements to pregnant women.

Other Compounds Found in Natural Traditions Rice Bran and Germ Powder:

How to use it:

Dosage: The above nutritional information is based off of a ¼ cup serving of Natural Traditions Rice Bran and Germ Powder, however you can start with as little as one to two heaping tbsp and incorporate more into larger recipes.

Storage: Refrigeration is not required however it’s best kept in a cool, dry, dark place.

Best Uses: Rice bran and germ powder is most commonly and popularly used as a vegan creamer due to its similarity to milk when mixed into water. 100% soluble, our rice bran and germ powder is best mixed into coffee, tea, lattes and smoothies however you can incorporate it into almost any recipe. With a slightly sweet, nutty, vanilla taste - you can even eat it right out of the bag! Check out these two #otcreations we’ve made using our rice bran and germ powder:

Rice bran and germ powder, it's not just for eating!

Tocos are often touted for being the ultimate skin food. Because tocotrienols are compounds belonging to the vitamin E family and they’re packed with antioxidant properties, they’ve been dubbed the ultimate hair and skin food. Many people even turn to vitamin E supplements to help achieve glowing skin and thick, voluminous hair.

Vitamin E, a fat soluble nutrient with a host of antioxidant properties is vital to the proper function of many organs. Well, did you also know that our skin is actually our largest organ?!

The powerful antioxidant compounds in vitamin E can help to fight skin inflammation and even decrease signs of acne and other skin conditions like eczema. It also act as a natural anti-aging nutrient, improving the moisture in your skin as well as its elasticity. Skin damage caused by the sun or other external toxins may also be reduced by eating vitamin E rich foods.

Rice Bran and Germ Powder Skin Mask:

Since rice bran and germ powder benefits the skin from the inside out, who’s to say it can’t also benefit the skin from the outside in? Adding rice bran and germ powder to a DIY face mask, or better yet, try this one:

Combine the following ingredients:

2 tbsp Cacao butter (melted and cooled) or coconut oil (slightly melted)

3 heaping tbsp Rice bran and germ powder

1 tsp honey

Application:

Apply your DIY mask to your face or other areas of the body that could use some extra hydration or repair. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.

What Sets Our Superfoods Apart:

At Organic Traditions, we offer the highest quality organic, vegan superfoods in their purest forms. We practice sustainable sourcing and harvesting and ensure that no GMO’s, fillers, preservatives, harsh chemicals, solvents or high heat are used in extracting or producing any of our superfoods and superherbs.