The brown rice diet is one of the infinite number of diet plans that purport to cleanse and detoxify the body. As the name implies, the main ingredient is brown rice, rather than the white rice to which most consumers are accustomed. It should be noted that there is no scientific evidence that the brown rice diet actually does detoxify or cleanse the body. Still, if one wishes to proceed with this, or any rather extreme diet, he should first consult with a qualified medical doctor.

The basic theory behind the brown rice diet is that white rice loses much of its nutritional value when it is milled and polished. There is some measure of truth to this, as white rice is nothing but brown rice that has had its outer husk removed. Fiber is also removed during the milling process. Homeopathic doctors often make the claim that it is the fiber of brown rice that helps move toxins out of the body and leads to an enhanced state of well-being.

There are basically two schools of thought on just how the brown rice diet should be conducted. The first, and probably least healthful of the two, involves eating small meals of brown rice, cooked in water, five or six times a day. No other food is permitted, though the dieter is supposed to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water per day. The occasional glass of fresh vegetable juice is also acceptable.

One is supposed to stick with this diet for up to two weeks, at which time the body is supposedly cleansed of toxins and harmful chemicals. It is true that the body may feel cleansed, for consuming such a great amount of water and rice will function as both a diuretic and a laxative. As to whether such a version of the brown rice diet removes toxins, or aids one’s health in any way, is highly open for debate.

A second, more sensible version of the brown rice diet, specifies that one eat foods other than rice over a seven-day period. Fruits and vegetables are allowed, although most homeopaths will usually insist that anything consumed be organic and raw. All canned and frozen foods are forbidden. Again, one may drink as much water as he likes. Fruit juice is also suggested.

This variation of the brown rice diet is not that much different from any other low-fat diet. One may have fruit and brown rice, vegetables and brown rice, fruit juice and brown rice, herbal tea and brown rice, or even brown rice and brown rice. One can eat as much of these foods as he likes, and can vary his intake as he desires. The only absolute is that one stay on the diet for a full week.

While this more liberal of the two brown rice diets will certain not hurt a person – assuming of course he is not allergic to brown rice – there is again no evidence that it will revitalize the body. As with the first version of the brown rice diet, the individual who engages in the procedure will usually lose weight. The diuretic and laxative effect can be rather extreme, and unless one plans on staying close to a restroom for seven days, he might want to consider a more traditional diet plan.