Black rice have been researched over by scientists all over thee world owing to their immense benefits. But they are not something new in fact centuries old. If you don’t know about them, now is the perfect time to increase your knowledge. You will be awe struck and would want to get your hands on them ASAP!
Let’s not wait any further and get started with our black rice details.
What are these and Where they came from?
This type of rice belongs to Oryza sativa L. species. They have been a part of Asian cuisine for almost 6000 to 7000 years. Nowadays they are being cultivated in the tropical areas of China, Myanmar, Japan and North East India. There are two varieties that are quite popular:
- Thai Jasmine black rice
- Indonesian black rice
The signature purplish black hue of these aesthetically pleasing black rice is due to the pigment present in them known as “anthocyanin” that has its own importance in the food world- all thanks to its antioxidant properties.
They are called by other names like purple rice or forbidden rice. There is a story why they have been called forbidden since the ancient times and we would love to tell you that. Consuming black rice was a common practice in ancient china owing to the healthy effects they imparted on human body. When members of Chinese royal family got to know of them, they seized every grain in the country and from that time on these magical black rice were only reserved only for the noble and royals in the country. Hence, the term “forbidden rice” was coined as these were reserved only for the elite and were cultivated in a very limited quantity. With the time they made way to other parts of the world too and reached US in 1995. Since then there has been no way back for them.
They have been grabbing quite the limelight until recently owing to their immense benefits and have been considered a safe and healthier alterative to the white rice. Apart from nutrition one of the reasons of their popularity is their rich taste which is mild and nutty and chewy texture; both of which make favourable options to include in recipes.
Nutrition Profile of Black Rice
A quarter cup of black rice makes one serving. Get ready to be blown away by the nutritional profile. Here it is:
- Calories: 160kcals
- Protein: 5g
- Fibre: 3g
- Fat: 2g
- Potassium: 268 g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Iron: 6% of DV
Moreover, black rice carry with them 18 amino acids along with minerals like copper, zinc, iron and vitamins like carotene. If you are looking for something less caloric but high in protein, what’s better than this macronutrient dense food?
Benefits of Black Rice
Thankfully we live in a world where there are no restrictions on the food items like these. But the behaviour of ancient Chinese royals left no doubt left in the benefits of these magical rice variety. It is now the need of the hour to bring forward these benefits to the world. Here, have a look:
1. Rich in Anthocyanins/Antioxidants
As affirmed by the colour, black rice are rich in anthocyanins and in return antioxidants. In fact, the anthocyanin content of black rice is greater than any other rice variety. The more the anthocyanin, higher is the antioxidant content just like in blueberries, cranberries and raspberries. The antioxidant content is mostly present in the bran hull and it is more than any other food. The antioxidants coming from anthocyanins have immense health benefits like protecting against cardiovascular disease, reduction of inflammation, increasing brain function and protection against cancer.
Antioxidants protect against cell damage done by the oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals in the body. Protection against oxidative stress is crucial for protection against several chronic conditions. Black rice contain as much as 23 antioxidants in total including flavonoids and carotenoids. Is there anything left?
2. Boosting Heart Health
The antioxidants present in black rice have been shown to boost heart health. As proved by the study, the flavonoids in black rice are linked with alleviated risk of heart disease as well as decreased mortality rates from the disease. A research also showed that anthocyanins improve the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides levels in humans. As part of study, participants took 80mg anthocyanins capsule a day for three months and results showed an increase in HDL (good fats) and decrease in LDL (bad fats).
3. Improved Eye Health
As black rice are a powerhouse of carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin are jewels in the crown of carotenoids. Both of these play the role of antioxidants and protect the eye from damage against free radicals. Moreover, studies have showed that they also protect the retina of the eye as they tend to filter out the highly damaging blue light waves. These antioxidants also protect the eye from age related muscular degeneration that is quite prevalent these days.
4. Gluten Free
A type of protein that is present in almost all cereal grains like wheat rye and barley. People who have celiac disease cannot consume these grains or any food that contains even traces of gluten containing cereals. The struggle to get the gluten free foods is real. For people suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, black rice is a gift of nature as it is naturally gluten free.
5. Weight Loss
As black rice are rich in fibre and protein, they are a perfect option to include in meals for those who are looking for shedding some weight. Fibre keeps you fuller for longer periods of time thus aiding in weight loss. Moreover, if you are looking to build up muscle mass, you can’t find a better option on block than these magical rice.
Final Verdict
Do not wait any further and include these not anymore forbidden rice in to your diet today. They are easy to cook, taste great and are easily available. Get signs from the history as there was a profound reason why black rice were reserved for the elites only!
