In India, rice is considered "the foundation of all nourishment.
It is given to both the ill and the healthy, because it's easily
assimilated into our bodily tissues."
While many health-conscious Westerners value brown rice for its
high bran and fiber content, Ayurveda, which means "knowledge of
life," has been practiced for 5,000 years, it embraces white rice,
particularly long-grained, fragrant basmati rice, because it is
lighter and easier to digest. White basmati rice is also sattvic
(pure) and balances the three doshas mind-body types: pitta, vata,
and kapha.
Kapha is composed of water and earth. In most people, one
predominates, influencing health, appearance, personality and
character. People who are vata, which is space and air, tend to
have cold extremities and dry, thin skin. People who are pitta,
which is fire and water, have oily skin that's warm to the
touch.
Basmati rice builds body tissue and is very high in prana [vital
life energy]. Basmati rice fills many roles in Ayurvedic nutrition.
Its rasa, or quality of taste, is sweet and offers a deep
satisfaction. As the body digests it, its virya (energetic impact
on the digestive fire) is cooling. Finally, its vipaka
(post-digestion effect) is also sweet and provides a sense of
satisfaction and comfort.
Adapted from The New York Times