Red Yeast Rice; What Exactly Is It?

Red Yeast Rice is a type of rice fermented by yeast (not to be confused with the red rice served in a Thai restaurant). It is the yeast that gives the rice its red colour; by fermenting ordinary rice with the Monascus purpureus yeast, the rice grains turn dark red. Red yeast rice is also known as Xuezhikang or Red Koji.

Red Yeast Rice Nutrition

Red yeast rice has been consumed for thousands of years in Asian countries and used as a natural colouring, flavouring, and health support. In the Netherlands, it is only used in supplement form. 

What Is Red Yeast Rice Good For?

During the fermentation process, specific compounds develop that are characteristic of red yeast rice. The fermented rice contains, among other things, monacolins. One of these monacolins is monacolin K, which has been shown in several thorough studies to help maintain normal cholesterol levels at a dose of 10 mg per day.

Red Yeast Rice Supplementation

Red yeast rice supplements are available in individual tablets and capsules. When choosing red yeast rice supplementation, it is important to also take Q10 and vitamin D3. This is because it is known that monacolin K reduces the production of both substances in the body. It is important that red yeast rice is of good quality and guaranteed free from the mycotoxin citrinin.

Author: Noëlle van Seggelen