Good Lifestyle

Additional Reporting by Kelsey Hampton, MS, RDN, LD, CSSD

White, wild, long and short are attributes that you have probably heard about rice, but did you hear about purple or prohibited rice? These are different names for what is more commonly called black rice, a grain that has gained popularity in a wide variety of kitchens in recent years. But why choose black rice on more common white rice and brown? There are some very good reasons. Here's what you need to know about black rice and its advantages.

What is the black rice?

This old grain gets its dark pigment from a compound called anthocyanins and has been nicknamed for prohibited rice because it was considered so unique in ancient China that it was reserved only for the emperor. Although it has remained popular in different areas of China, the use of black rice has begun to spread around the world. Whether it's a visual call on a plate or nutrient, there is a good chance that you will see more of this grain in the coming years.

What are his health benefits?

In addition to providing color, the anthocyane compound also works as antioxidant and offers many health benefits associated with black rice. In fact, the black rice has been documented to haveThe highest antioxidant content Among the varieties of black, red and brown rice.

Antioxidants help "rebalance harmful free radicals that can damage a number of different areas of the body. As a result, the advantages of antioxidants can be very distant. Numerous studies have been conducted in relation to antioxidants, including anthocyanas, and some of the rated benefits includePlay a role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and microbial infections.

In addition to anthocyanins, black rice is rich inFlavas and carotenoids also. Flavonoid compounds weredocumented to reduce the risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, while carotenoids have provenBeneficial effects on eye health.

Although many of these benefits are involved in disease prevention, the macronutrient composition of black rice offers advantages of its own advantages. Compared to other forms of rice, black rice has a higher protein content that can be particularly beneficial for a person looking for plant-based sources. In addition, black rice also contains a little more iron than brown rice.

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Is the black rice healthier than brown or white rice?

There are many similarities between black rice and more common counterparts, white and brown rice. They all share a very similar nutrition profile: a few more than 350 calories by a carbohydrate content of 100 grams, ranging from 76 grams to 83 grams per serving and a very low fat content. In addition, black and brown rice share a content similar to the fiber of about 2 grams per serving.

Although these components are at the point, the protein and micronutriment content of black rice stands out above the rest. Maximizing nutrient density is a health practice that everyone can benefit. This means choosing foods that pack a high concentration of nutrients in a relatively small amount of calories. While white and brown rice can be used as part of a well rounded diet, black rice is doing a much better nutrient density work, offering a wider spectrum of nutrients.

What taste?

In its dry form, the black rice has an opaque black color and once cooked, takes a violet hue. The texture of the black rice has been described as spongy and sticky, although denser and hotter than white rice. The flavor is more complex and more robust, yielding notes of black beans. Another positive black rice is that it takes less time to cook that brown rice, with a cooking time of 30 to 35 minutes, against 45-50 minutes for brown rice. Try it in abowl of Buddhain a fried rice or soup.

Where to buy it

While the black rice has more health allowances than white and brown rice, it is not as easy to find and it is slightly more expensive (about 4 to 6 dollars per book). Specialty grocery store, international markets, health food stores and Amazon , are currently the most likely place to find black rice.