Brown rice is actually healthier than white rice and despite the anti-nutrient that is called phytic acid.
As brown rice is a complex carbohydrate and a wholegrain.
The consumption of wholegrains is also linked to reducing heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
Then what makes a carbohydrate a complex carbohydrate is naturally occurring sugars, and starches, and they also contain fiber.
While white rice is a refine carbohydrate, and although athletes like eating it we should really eat less of it. Although people do like eating what they like. So, then to reduce the amount of phytic acid we need to soak it first in lukewarm water.
As it also reduces the cooking time of brown rice.