Exploring the Frontiers of Health: An Updated Review of Nutritional Benefits of Rice Bran Oil

Rice bran oil (RBO) is increasingly popular among cooking oils because of its superior cooking quality, extended shelf life, balanced fatty acid, and rich antioxidant content. RBO contains appreciable quantities of bioactive components and has the status of "Heart-healthy oil" due to its cardioprotective and phytochemical profile. It is rich in vitamin E (both tocopherols and tocotrienols) and bioactive phytochemicals, which include phytosterols, γ-oryzanol, and triterpene alcohols. RBO is renowned for its health-promoting effects, including remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Its regular consumption, either alone or in combination with other unsaturated-rich edible oils, has been shown to effectively reduce blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose in individuals with human hypertension and type 2 diabetes. It can help reduce inflammation and other risk factors for metabolic diseases. Beyond cardiovascular health, RBO aids in enhancing the immune system, guarding the process of premature aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Further, RBO is exhibiting promising potential in improving skin health and gastroprotective, antimicrobial, and immune protective functions. Regular use of RBO as cooking oil reduces the risk of chronic diseases, specifically cardiovascular diseases. With its balanced fatty acids, phytochemicals, and rich nutrient content, RBO is also ideal for producing functional blended oils. RBO can offer the complementary advantage of creating a more comprehensive strategy to mitigate the risk factors associated with human chronic diseases.