Evidence supporting the use of: White Rice
For the health condition: Dehydration
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
White rice has been traditionally used in various cultures as part of home remedies to support recovery from dehydration, particularly in the form of rice water. This practice is especially common in parts of Asia and Latin America, where rice water is sometimes given to children and adults experiencing diarrhea, a major cause of dehydration. The logic behind this is that rice water, made by boiling rice in water and straining the liquid, provides both fluids and some easily digestible carbohydrates. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend oral rehydration solutions (ORS) containing specific ratios of water, salt, and sugar to treat dehydration, especially from diarrhea. While rice water is not a replacement for standard ORS, some studies (mainly in the 1980s and 1990s) found that rice-based oral solutions could be effective in reducing stool output in cases of acute diarrhea, and may be better tolerated in some situations than glucose-based ORS. However, rice water alone lacks the precise electrolyte balance (particularly sodium and potassium) found in medical-grade ORS, so it is not considered a scientific standard. In summary, the use of white rice (or rice water) for treating dehydration is primarily supported by tradition, with some low-to-moderate quality evidence suggesting mild effectiveness, particularly where standard oral rehydration solutions are unavailable.