Red Yeast Rice Benefits

Benefits of red yeast rice were first recorded during the Tang Dynasty in 800 A.D, in ancient China. It was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for aiding digestion, clearing blood clogs (artery blockages), and for imparting vigor, strength, and vitality to the body. Besides medicinal uses, it is also used as a part of the staple diet among many Asians. It is cooked and eaten in the same manner as the white rice. Red yeast rice is used as a food coloring agent for a variety of food products like red rice vinegar, pickled tofu, Chinese pastries, and in the several types of Korean and Chinese rice wines, and the Japanese sake.

Red yeast rice is mainly grown in China, from where its use as a staple diet spread to most South East Asian countries. Making red yeast rice takes about a week. The rice grains are first soaked in water, until they are fully saturated. The soaked rice can be directly inoculated, or steamed prior to inoculation. Here inoculation means mixing the yeast Monascus purpureus with powdered red yeast rice or spores with polished or processed rice, and incubating it at room temperature for 4 to 6 days; following which, each grain will have a bright red color and is fermented.

Health Benefits of Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice contains several chemical compounds of the group Monacolins. Monacolin K, one of the important compounds, is a substance known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis, especially of the HMG-CoA reductase. Red yeast rice extracts are sold as natural cholesterol-lowering supplements, in many medical stores, and one does not need a prescription to get them.

Lowers High Cholesterol: Red yeast rice has been extensively studied, and is found to lower low-density lipoprotein/LDL, total blood cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.

Coronary Heart Disease: Some clinical evidence has shown positive results for cardiovascular related health problems, and is known to improve blood flow with oral intake of Monascus purpureus.

Diabetes: Some cases have reported that the use of red yeast rice, has helped diabetics to lower blood sugar levels.

The use of red yeast rice to lower cholesterol and help in other cardiovascular related illness, does not have legal approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is a legal tussle on between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, especially companies that are promoting the use of red yeast rice. More clinical studies are on to establish the veracity of its benefits. Some of commonly reported side effects of red yeast rice are headache, indigestion, heartburn, muscle and joint pains, liver inflammation, and in rare instances, damage to the peripheral nerves. The use of artificial coloring to adulterate it, also makes the individual using it vulnerable to illness.

Red yeast rice is available in different forms such as whole dried grains, or as a ground powder. In spite of the many benefits associated with red yeast rice, it should be used with caution due to the side effects. It is best to consult a medical practitioner, if one wishes to use it.