One of the most important properties of oryzanol is its cholesterol lowering property. There are several studies in human and animals showing that the oryzanol content of Rice Bran Oil has the property of lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol. In addition, oryzanol also decreases plasma triglyceride levels.
Oryzanol is also a potent antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of Oryzanol has been shown to be 10 times higher than that of tocopherols. High content of oryzanol provides oxidative stability to Rice Bran Oil and improve its shelf life.
Records indicate the Japanese were the first to isolate oryzanol from Rice Bran in 1943. Today, rice is still the only known source of the nutrient.
National Institute of Nutrition in its Dietary guidelines for year 2011 has mentioned that Oryzanol found in Rice Bran Oil is helpful in reducing :
