Rice is a complex carbohydrate. Humans need complex carbohydrates in their diet because they fuel the body. Complex carbohydrates are stored in muscles and released as energy as needed. Rice protein, when compared to that of other grains, is considered one of the highest quality proteins. It has all eight of the essential amino acids, necessary building blocks for strong muscles.
Rice contains no fat, no cholesterol and no sodium.
This along with being nonallergenic and gluten free, makes rice especially well suited for persons with special dietary needs. Rice offers versatility unsurpassed by an other food. It can be made part of any meal in recipes for soups, salads, main dishes and desserts. In Asia rice is considered sacred. In Japan there are shrines to the god of rice.