The refining process involves removing the bran and germ, which are the healthiest parts of the rice grain. This leaves behind just the endosperm, which is mostly starch. It's like taking a delicious, nutritious meal and replacing it with a big ol' plate of sugar.
But, you might ask, what's the big deal? White rice is still food, right? Well, yes and no. While it's true that white rice is technically food, it's not exactly the most nourishing stuff. In fact, eating too much white rice can lead to all sorts of health problems, from diabetes to heart disease.