Have you ever switched from white rice to brown rice? If yes, Congratulations, you have made one good change! But, if you’re looking for other ways to further improve the nutritional quality of your diet, consider switching to black rice instead of your white rice.
Never heard of black rice? Not surprisingly, because the usefulness of black rice is not yet well-known, unlike other rice which is already well known to the corners of the world. There was once a story where black rice is forbidden rice. This story is from China. The rice can only be consumed by the Emperor and his family. If there are people who are caught using black rice without permission, their lives are on the brink
Relax, in modern times like now black rice is free to be used by anyone.
Health Benefits of Black Rice
Black rice is actually a collection of various types of rice from Oryza sativa L. species, including some of them are glutinous rice. Good black rice is maintaining all its natural properties because this rice does not go through the bleaching process. So how to cook black rice to make it delicious to consume?
In general, the texture of black rice is almost the same as white rice. Sticky and savory flavors are suitable for making desserts, traditional black rice cakes, and many more. However, black rice is more dense than white rice. Then, what are the benefits of consuming black rice? Below are the benefits of consuming black rice
1. High Antioxidant Content
Black rice is high in antocyanin content. The antocyanin content in black rice is the highest compared to other rice varieties. Anthocyanins have been studied and found to be able to prevent heart disease and protect against all kinds of inflammation which are at the core of many common diseases today – from asthma, arthritis, to cancer. Diets that include black rice in the diet have also been shown to reduce triglyceride levels (bad fats in the blood) and increase HDL levels, also known as good cholesterol.
2. Gluten free
Just like other rice varieties, black rice is naturally gluten free, a protein found in all products containing wheat and / or barley. Many people who suffer from gluten allergies might find this rice helps in eliminating digestive problems associated with gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease is one of the rare sensitivities to gluten, and its symptoms and side effects can be damaging – including an increased risk of leaky intestinal syndrome.
3. Digestion
Black rice is high in fiber, which is able to add “mass” to your stool, and therefore eliminates, prevents, and / or cure diarrhea problems and other digestive problems. Fiber helps increase bowel movements and helps relieve constipation. Fiber in high doses can help prevent the absorption of toxic substances and rinse them out of the body. Also keep in mind that studies have found high-fiber diet from rice and wheat varieties proven to protect against digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).