Rice That Fights Cancer: IRRI’s Breakthrough in Functional Food Research

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🌾 Researchers Discover Traditional Rice Varieties With Strong Anticancer Properties

Here’s some exciting news for rice lovers and health enthusiasts alike—scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines have identified pigmented rice varieties that exhibit significant anticancer and antioxidant properties. This discovery is especially relevant in Asia, where diseases such as colorectal and breast cancer are increasingly prevalent, particularly in India and China.

🔬 1.32 Lakh Varieties Screened, 6 Pigmented Rice Identified

The research team sifted through over 1.32 lakh rice accessions collected globally and short-listed 800 pigmented rice varieties for further testing. After comprehensive metabolite profiling and in-vitro testing on breast and colorectal cancer cell lines, six top-performing varieties were selected—among them, standout types include:

Philippines’ Balatino rice

Philippines’ Kintuman red rice

Indonesia’s Ketan Hitam rice

These varieties are rich in catechins and flavonoids, natural compounds known for their antioxidant and anticancer activities.


🌿 What Makes These Rice Varieties Special?

Unlike conventional chemotherapeutic treatments that harm both cancerous and healthy cells, these pigmented rice extracts demonstrated selective cytotoxicity—killing cancer cells while leaving healthy ones unaffected. This property could make them ideal for functional food formulations and supplements in the future.

According to Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu, Principal Scientist and Head of the Consumer-driven Grain Quality and Nutrition Center at IRRI, “These rice varieties share similar health benefits to superfoods like blueberries and chia seeds.”


🍚 Anti-Cancer Benefits Survive Cooking

Even after cooking, these rice types retain up to 70% of their anticancer properties, making them highly functional and practical for daily diets in rice-consuming nations.

💊 Rice Bran-Based Nutritional Supplements

IRRI scientists have also developed a multi-nutritional supplement based on rice bran extract. This supplement is:

Water-soluble

Effective in in-vitro trials

Shown to have anticancer properties at 7.5 gm/ml concentration


🌍 A Step Toward Functional Foods for the Future

With rice being a staple in many regions of the world, especially Asia, these discoveries could pave the way for natural cancer prevention and improved nutritional security. They also open the door for developing affordable, accessible health supplements rooted in local food traditions.


✅ Conclusion

The rediscovery of traditional rice varieties like Balatino, Kintuman, and Ketan Hitam for their anticancer and antioxidant potential presents a hopeful breakthrough in the intersection of agriculture, nutrition, and healthcare. As research continues with live model trials, the future of food-based disease prevention looks promising.

Philipines Balatino rice

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