Rice Bran Oil, Gamma Oryzanol, Gamma-O

Rice bran oil is a healthy cooking oil produced from rice grain hulls. The healthiest portion of rice is the oil extracted from the otherwise unused bran, according to the California Rice Oil company. Rice bran oil was first used in Asian countries, but its use has spread because it's rich in antioxidants and healthy fats.

Appealing Flavor

 Rice bran oil is healthier than other cooking oils and adds an appealing flavor to foods, according Bill Sardi in a 2001 "Nutrition Science News" article. Rice bran oil allows foods to resist oil saturation, helping to reduce the sometimes greasy texture of fried foods. Popcorn kernels can pop even bigger when cooked in rice bran oil.

Stability
Rice bran oil has a high smoke point, meaning that the oil can be heated very high before it becomes damaged. A high smoke point allows you to deep fry foods without the use of hydrogenated oils or trans fats.

Antioxidant Profile

 Rice bran oil is a healthy oil because of its high antioxidant quality. Antioxidants fight free radicals and the oxidative damage that they have on body cells. Rice bran oil has the highest oxidative stability index value compared to other oils such as soybean or sunflower oil, according to "Food & Beverage Asia" in 2010. The antioxidants found in rice bran oil contribute to this high value. Antioxidants found in rice bran oil include vitamin E in the form of tocopherol, tocotrienol and gamma oryzanol. Gamma oryzanol is unique to rice bran oil, according to "Food & Beverage Asia." Rice bran oil ranks superior to other vegetable oils in tocotrienol content, says a 1999 "Food Technology" article.

Cholesterol-Lowering Potential

 Rice bran can be beneficial in the fight against heart disease by reducing total cholesterol levels, including the bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides by 20 percent, according to a 2005 study by Italian researchers in "Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research." The researchers did not find an improvement in good cholesterol (HDL), but conclude that the overall reduction of unhealthy cholesterol levels is significant in reducing the overall risk of heart disease.