Bown rice has a long history in the Asian and African worlds and today, in the western world. Before delving further into the history and rich culture of brown rice, it is important to note a few key differences between brown rice and white rice. Brown rice is a whole grain where white rice is not. The germ and bran layer of brown rice are left intact after harvesting and during the milling process, and the outermost layer of grain, otherwise known as the hull, is the only layer of grain that is removed. It is for this reason that brown rice is labeled as being “unrefined.” In white rice, the hull, germ and bran layers are all removed .At its essence, white rice is brown rice stripped of all its nutrients. Brown rice has all of the vitamins and nutrients and is a major source of zinc, fiber, magnesium and protein. While brown rice may not be as fluffy and tends to be grittier, more than half of the key nutrients that are found naturally in rice are stripped out with white rice. Brown rice has been celebrated for helping to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This is because it has a low Glycemic Index and takes longer for the body to digest, which keeps blood sugar levels more steady. Additionally, brown rice lessens the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as well as protects the body against heart disease and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.