The benefits of black rice for health are numerous, ranging from being good for diabetes to maintaining heart health. Get to know the benefits and properties of black rice here!
There are many rice options that can be used, ranging from white rice, red, brown, to black rice. However, black rice is a rare type of rice, aka hard to find.
In terms of appearance, black rice grains appear to be more shiny and longer in size than brown rice types. Over time, the black color will fade and produce a dark purple color. Not surprisingly, black rice is often considered healthier than other types of rice.
So, what are the benefits of black rice for health? Is it true that black rice is healthier than white rice? Let’s find out the complete benefits of black rice here.
1. Have Lots of Nutrition
Apart from brown rice, black rice also has many benefits for the body. The reason is, there are many nutrients contained in it.
The following is the content of black rice in 100 grams:
- Energy: 251 calories
- Protein: 8 gram
- Fat: 1.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 76.9 grams
- Fiber: 20.1 grams
- Kalsium: 6 mg
- Fosfor: 198 mg
- Potassium: 105 mg
- Seng: 1.6 mg
Compared to other types of rice, black rice tends to have lower calories. Apart from that, it contains fiber and antioxidants which maximize the health benefits of black rice.
2. Makes You Fuller Longer
Fiber is a black rice nutrient that has the most health benefits. The reason is, the high fiber content can make you feel full longer, so that it can limit the intake of food consumed.
It’s not surprising that many people consume black rice while on a weight-loss diet.
3. Maintaining Weight
The properties of black rice can also help maintain stable weight. This is thanks to the fiber content which makes the process of releasing blood sugar occur slowly, so you will feel full for longer.
Apart from that, the protein contained in black rice can also increase feelings of fullness quickly.
4. Improves heart health
The benefits of black rice for health can also help protect the body from heart disease.
The flavonoid content, one of the antioxidants in black rice, has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, the anthocyanin content can also help increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the body.
5. Has Anticancer Properties
The anthocyanin content in black rice turns out to have strong anticancer properties.
According to the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, anthocyanins can reduce the number of breast cancer cells and slow their growth and spread.
6. Maintain Skin Health
Apart from the body, there are also benefits of black rice for the face and skin.
High antioxidant content can actually reduce oxidative cell damage, so it can fight signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
From the many benefits of black rice above, you don’t need to hesitate to consume this type of rice. Don’t forget, #KeepYourHealthy by fulfilling other nutritional needs, so that the benefits can be maximized.
7. Supports Eye Health
One type of antioxidant, namely carotenoids in black rice, plays a role in protecting healthy cells in the eyes, especially the retina area.
It doesn’t stop there, carotenoids have also been proven to reduce the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the eyes, so they can prevent the growth of cancer cells. The vitamin E in the anthocyanins in black rice can also protect the eyes, skin, and immune system.
8. Protects the body from damage
Quoting from the Cleveland Clinic, black rice is rich in anthocyanin, the pigment that gives rice its black color.
Apart from that, anthocyanins also act as antioxidants which can protect body cells from damage. This antioxidant works by fighting free radicals, so it can protect the body from oxidative stress.
9. Reduces the risk of stomach acid
Apparently, eating black rice also has a good impact on people with stomach acid. according to dr. Dyah Novita Anggraini, the benefits of black rice for stomach acid are supported by the nutritional content of fiber in it.
Fiber is good for digestion because it is considered a prebiotic, fuel to encourage the growth of good bacteria so that the health of the digestive organs is balanced. That’s why a fiber-rich diet can be a way to treat GERD and prevent it from recurring.
“Apart from that, there are anthocyanins which are important in food intake (prebiotics) to provide nutrition to bacteria (probiotics) in the body,” he explained.
10. Managing Diabetes
Black rice is often considered healthier than other types of rice because it exhibits glucose-reducing properties. Not surprisingly, many consume black rice to treat diabetes.
Delivered by Drs., this type of rice is considered healthier because it contains a lower glycemic index than white rice. This means that sugar is absorbed more slowly and reduces the risk of sugar spikes in the blood.