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# Rice hull fiber as dietary fiber lowers cholesterol, fasting blood glucose
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/rice_hull_fiber_dietary_fiber_cholesterol_glucose_1007121021/
- Published: 2012-10-07T11:19:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:12:42.000Z
- Description: In a 90-day rat trial testing rice hull fiber's safety, males on 3.75 and 5 percent diets showed 17.6 percent lower fasting blood glucose and 22 percent lower cholesterol. No deaths or organ abnormalities appeared, and the researchers say the fiber can serve as a dietary fiber.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PHD

Sunday Oct 7, 2012 ([foodconsumer.org](http://www.foodconsumer.org/)) -- Taking rice hull fiber as a dietary fiber may help lower serum cholesterol and fasting blood glucose, according to a study released in the Oct 1, 2012 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology.

The study led by Y. Gao of Yantai University in Yantai, P.R. China and colleagues was intended to test the sub chronic toxicity of rice hull fiber when this ingredient is used as a dietary fiber.

The researchers conducted a 90-day feeding trial in rats that were given different diets with 0%, 2.5%, 3.75% or 5.0% w/w of rice hull fiber. Body weight and food consumption were monitored weekly, and ophthalmic and histological examinations were conducted at the end of the trial. Also blood and urine samples were analysed to measure hematological and chemical parameters.

No death, ophthalmic abnormalities, and other adverse effects were observed during the trial, hematological tests and urine analysis. Organs of rats that ate the dietary supplement did not show any treatment-related abnormalities. 

The only change was found in the blood, that is, the supplementation of rice hull fiber was associated with 17.6 % reduced serum levels of fasting blood glucose and 22.0% reduced cholesterol in male rats receiving 3.75 and 5% rice hull fiber.

At 5% rice hull fiber (for females, 3.8 g/kg body weight per day and for males, 4.11 g/kg body weight/day), no adverse effects were observed.

The researchers suggested that rice hull fiber can be used as a dietary fiber. Currently dietary fiber supplements sold in the market can come from legumes such as peas, soybeans, lupins, whole grain products such as oats, rye, chia, and barley, and fruit/vegetables such as prune, plums, berries and bananas.

Dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, is a very important dietary component and it has been known to protect against colorectal cancer and other cancers, prevent constipation, reduce hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other coronary heart disease risk factors, and improve gastrointestinal health, glucose tolerance and insulin response, and help weight management.