Germinated brown rice has been found to be highly effective in preventing high blood pressure and diabetes.

The Rural Development Administration on Wednesday said that after a study of roughly 100 kinds of rice, it selected Samgwang Rice and Keunnun Rice for processing into germinated brown rice, also known as sprouted brown rice.

When germinated, the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid or GABA in the rice increases by 15 times. GABA is known to help prevent high blood pressure and diabetes.

The administration says germinated brown rice is also found to be effective in digestion and memory.