Why black rice?

Here’s some food for thought, black rice, also known as purple rice, originates from China, with lower calories and higher antioxidants then white rice, this just might be your new thing. In ancient China Black Rice was set aside specifically for the Emperor or the royal family, with all the health benefits, they believed it would make them live longer.

So, what are the health benefits?

First, let’s compare black rice with white rice:

Black rice: 1/4 cup uncooked.

160 calories

1.5 grams fat

5 grams protein

34 grams carbohydrate

2 gram fiber

6% daily iron intake

23 different antioxidants

White rice: 1/4 cup uncooked.

184 calories

.108 grams fat

3.79 grams protein

39.76 grams carbohydrates

.6 grams fiber

9% iron

8 different antioxidants

Now that we see the difference, let’s take a look at the health benefits of black rice…

High in antioxidants-

Antioxidants reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and some cancers

Black rice has been found to contain over 23 plant compounds with antioxidant properties, including anthocyanin, flavonoids, and carotenoids. The bran hull (outermost layer) of black rice contains one of the highest levels of Anthocyanins found in food.

Black rice is high in lutein and zeaxanthin-

which protects your eyes from damage, and improve your eye sight. A study in mice found that consuming anthocyanin extract from black rice resulted in significantly less retinal damage when the mice were exposed to fluorescent lights.

May help with weight loss

High in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, all which lead to weight loss. Black rice also improves your digestion.

One study found that giving mice with obesity on a high fat diet anthocyanins from black rice resulted in a 9.6% reduction in body weight.

Good for your liver

Natural detoxifier

Flushes toxins from your kidneys

Lower glycemic index then white, or brown rice. 42.3 GI in black rice vs white rice is 80 GI, and brown rice is 50 GI

Now, go make yourself some black rice and top it off with some Homemade Thai green curry.