Can Ten-Grain Rice Really Prevent Cancer?

There's been a lot of hype online about ten-grain rice, touting it as a miraculous food for cancer prevention, a remedy for chronic diseases, and a health elixir. While ten-grain rice is undoubtedly nutritious, it's essential not to be overly superstitious.

So, can ten-grain rice prevent cancer? Is it true?

Ten-grain rice is a mixture of brown rice, black glutinous rice, millet, wheat, buckwheat, foxnut, oats, lotus seeds, corn, and red rice. It's undeniable that these ten ingredients are individually nutritious. When combined to make rice porridge, it promotes a diet rich in whole grains, dietary fiber, and B vitamins—nutrients that are often lacking in diets that rely heavily on refined grains. Additionally, the various colors of mixed grains mean a higher concentration of phytochemicals. For example, black rice contains anthocyanins, millet, red rice, and corn contain carotenoids, all of which have some nutritional and health benefits.

However, it's important to remember that ten-grain rice is essentially an upgraded version of "eight-treasure congee." While it's nutritious, online claims that exaggerate its health benefits and label it as a "cancer-fighting secret" or a cure for various diseases are not scientifically grounded and can mislead consumers.

Having a bowl of ten-grain rice porridge as a staple food is excellent. Still, replacing your main meal with this porridge every day is not advisable. Consuming too many whole grains can lead to issues like constipation. Moreover, you don't need to buy so-called "authentic" ten-grain rice; you can make your own multigrain porridge by creatively combining various whole grains, legumes, and soybeans according to your preferences.

Ten-grain rice is a straightforward and healthy dish that you can occasionally prepare for your family. However, nutrition experts do not recommend glorifying any single food. Achieving good health relies on adopting a balanced lifestyle, and diet is just one aspect of it.