Rice is one of the oldest cereal grains in the world, and people have grown it for at least 5,000 years. It is a staple food for more than halfTrusted Source of the world’s population, and 90% of the world’s rice comes from Asia. There are thousands of types of rice, but depending on how producers process them, they fit into two groups: white or brown (whole grain). White rice is the most common type, though brown rice offers more health benefits. Brown rice comes in a variety of shades, including reddish, purplish, or black.Manufacturers make many products from rice, including rice flour, rice syrup, rice bran oil, and rice milk.This article looks at the nutrition, health benefits, and risks of white and brown rice.