What is black rice and what are the benefits of it?

In Ancient China, only the emperor and his entourage consumed black rice. The product was extremely expensive and was considered privileged: if a mere mortal dared to taste the valuable grain, he would face a painful execution. Today anyone can try this grain crop.

Rice is of particular interest to adherents of a healthy diet. What is its secret and what are its beneficial properties?

History of the Origin of Black Rice

The unusual grain crop has been grown in Southeast Asia for two millennia. There is no exact information about where the cereal came from and how it began to be cultivated. It is assumed that this happened after the melting of glaciers and the formation of a favorable climate.

Black colored rice is not related to traditional rice. These are the seeds of the wild hygrophilic grass Zizania latifolia, common in China. The grains have an oval shape, a black core and a thin shell.

Dark rice is so called because of its external similarity to white rice. However, in terms of color, composition and properties, it has nothing in common with it.

Chemical composition, glycemic index, trace elements and calorie content per 100 g

Black rice has such a rich composition that it is simply impossible to list all its beneficial components. Here are some of them:

• vitamins A, B, C, E, K, PP, H;
• more than 40 microelements, including copper, iodine, fluorine, zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and others;
• antioxidants;
• 18 amino acids vital for the human body;
• fiber, protein, lecithin;
• fats, proteins and carbohydrates;
• glucose.

The nutritional value cooked black rice per 100 g – 105 kcal. Protein content - 5 g, fat - 16 g, carbohydrates - 34 g, fiber - 2 g, 4% of the daily iron requirement.

The product has a low glycemic index of 35 units.

How is black rice different from white rice?

Black, or wild rice - these are the grains of a three-meter plant growing in water under natural conditions.

The black variety differs from the white variety:

• shape: white – oblong and round, black – oval.
• consistency: classic rice has soft grains, dark varieties have hard grains that require soaking.
• taste: homemade white rice has the taste we are accustomed to, while the wild plant is sweet and has a nutty aroma.

Grains also have different nutrient contents:

The table shows that wild black rice is the most beneficial for health. No wonder in Ancient China it was dubbed the “cereal of longevity and youth.”

Types of Black Rice

Only two varieties of wild rice are known. The difference lies in their application:

1. Nanking. This grain crop is added to salads and spicy oriental dishes.
2. Black Thai rice. The grains of this cereal are used to make sweet puddings.

Beneficial properties for the body

Before including a product in your diet, it is worth studying its benefits and possible harm.

Let's start with the useful properties:

• increases immunity;
• preserves youth, rejuvenates the skin, slows down the aging process;
• normalizes the functioning of the digestive system;
• releases waste and toxins from the body;
• reduces cholesterol levels;
• reduces blood pressure;
• normalizes the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• strengthens the visual system;
• restores hair and nails;
• reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes;
• normalizes the functioning of the adrenal glands;
• reduces the risk of fractures and injuries by strengthening bones and muscles;
• improves the general condition of the body after surgery or serious physical activity.

Gluten free

Almost all grains contain gluten. This sticky substance causes an allergic reaction in some people. Some sources claim that one in six people are sensitive to gluten, but actual intolerance (celiac disease) is diagnosed in less than 1% of the population. So the demonization of gluten in our time is more of a fashion statement.

In black cereals gluten not contained. But they contain other proteins - asparagine and glutamine.

Important! Black rice varieties do not cause allergies.

Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

People with digestive system problems are strongly recommended to include black rice in their diet. Thanks to its rich composition and beneficial properties, you can forever forget about bloating, constipation or diarrhea. In addition, the high fiber content ensures long-term saturation of the body.

Removes harmful substances from the body

Dark rice contains more antioxidants than other grains. In combination with fiber, these two substances remove toxins and waste from the body. Wild rice is especially useful for alcohol poisoning.

Other

Black rice protects, cleanses and strengthens the cardiovascular system, reduces the amount of cholesterol in the body. Thanks to detoxification, the liver, the main hematopoietic organ, is cleared of toxins.

The dietary fiber in dark rice fights inflammation.And carbohydrates contained in grains are absorbed slowly. This prevents the development of:

• oncology;
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• problems with the heart and blood vessels.

Buy black rice only in the shell. It contains most of the beneficial substances (minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber).

Benefits of black rice for weight loss

Black cereal - low calorie product, but even a small portion of it helps to saturate the body quickly and for a long time.

These features of wild rice crop attracted the attention of nutritionists, who began to create menus based on it for those who want to lose extra pounds.

Express diet

The duration of this diet is 1-3 days:

1. Boil black rice without salt and spices.
2. During the day, eat the amount of product that your body requires, dividing the dish into 4-5 times.
3. Drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters) and herbal tea.

It is not recommended to use the rice diet without consulting a specialist.

Rice breakfasts

This breakfast will give you a boost of energy for the whole day:

1. Soak 2-3 tbsp. l. grains before bed.
2. In the morning, cook rice without salt and have rice porridge for breakfast.
3. Do not eat or drink for the next 2 hours.

You can prepare your usual dishes for lunch and dinner, but to enhance the effect, it is recommended to exclude sweets, flour, smoked and fried foods.

Is black rice okay for pregnant and lactating women?

Young mothers and pregnant women should not give up eating black rice. On the contrary, the grains of this cereal restore the body after childbirth and promote lactation.

Advice. Black rice can be given to babies as complementary food from 7 months. But before that, be sure to consult your pediatrician.

Application

The wild variety of rice is nicknamed “living” due to its unique properties.Therefore, in addition to cooking, it is widely used in cosmetology and folk medicine. In Japan, for example, members of the imperial family ate two tablespoons of sprouts or black rice flour every day to get rid of gastrointestinal problems and maintain youth.

In folk medicine

In folk medicine, unique grains are used for different purposes:

1. To cleanse the body. The rice is soaked in water, then boiled for 5 minutes. The grains prepared in this way contain a minimal amount of starch and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, absorbing toxins and wastes like a sponge.
2. To lower cholesterol. Boil 100-200 g of cereal without salt and spices. The dish can be divided into several portions and eaten separately, or added to salads, yogurt, etc.
3. For weight loss or maintenance. Boiled black rice is an excellent product for a “fasting day”. It can be done once a week to maintain weight after losing weight. To do this, boil rice and eat it 5-6 times a day in equal portions. Herbal tea and water (at least 2 liters) complement the diet.

In cosmetology

Dark rice perfectly copes with the signs of aging, improves the condition of skin, hair and nails and fights inflammation.

Mask to restore facial skin tone

It is recommended to do this mask once a week:

1. Grind 2 tbsp. l. rice sprouts and mix them with 2 tbsp. l. fat sour cream.
2. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil.
3. Apply to cleansed and dry facial skin, leave for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with warm water.

Rice water for hair

Rinse your hair with this broth after washing or add 2 tbsp. l. for homemade hair masks:

1. Pour 2 tbsp. l. black rice 400-500 ml water.
2. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
3. Strain.

Black rice scrub

This product will give your skin a second youth:

1. Grind the grains to flour.
2. Mix the mixture with vegetable oil or cream until the consistency of sour cream.
3. Apply to the body with massage movements.

Cleansing mask

This recipe is great for inflammation and skin rashes:

1. Grind and soak dark rice grains.
2. Apply the paste to a cleansed and steamed face for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water.

Possible harm and contraindications

For most people, black rice is only beneficial. However, there are also undesirable consequences.

Among the most common:

1. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In case of exacerbation of diseases, consuming the wild variety will worsen your health and may cause stomach upset.
2. Individual intolerance. Although black rice is considered hypoallergenic, allergic reactions are possible in rare cases, especially in children.
3. Kidney problems. Black rice helps remove fluid from the body, which can lead to complications in kidney failure.

Contraindications include:

• chronic intestinal diseases;
• kidney and bladder diseases;
• haemorrhoids;
• diabetes mellitus - patients experience a deterioration in their condition with excessive consumption of the product.

Conclusion

Black rice is a storehouse of useful microelements and vitamins. With its help, you can improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, prevent the development of dangerous diseases, lose weight and prolong youth. If you have problems with the intestines and kidneys, it is not recommended to consume dark grains.