Black rice could be the greatest super food revealed researchers in a new study. Black rice is low in sugar but filled with healthy fibre and plant composites that help in combating heart disease and cancer. It is admired in primeval China but disregarded in the West.
When the samples of bran from black rice grown in US were examined by researchers from Louisiana State University, they found enhanced levels of water soluble anthocyanin antioxidants. It provided dark color to many fruits and vegetables like red peppers and blueberries. This also makes black rice black.
They proposes that antioxidants of dark plant wipe up the harmful molecules and can protect arteries and prevent DNA damage that escort to cancer. Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, said Food researcher Dr Zhimin Xu.
Nowadays black rice is mostly used in Asia for decorating food, noodles, sushi and desserts. But food producers could potentially use black rice bran to make breakfast cereals, beverages, cakes, biscuits and other foods healthier added Dr Xu. When rice is processed, millers confiscate the outer layers of the grains to produce brown rice or more refined white rice.
Brown rice is considered more nutritious because it contains higher levels of healthy vitamin E composite and antioxidants. Black rice could also be used to give healthier and natural colorants. Some studies have connected artificial colorants to cancer and some behavioral problems in children.
One thing why black rice had been disregarded in the west was that black rice is reserved only for the nobles in China. Its variety may have been restricted into commercial use much on its exportation. But now, it is widely used on most Asian countries as an ingredient for desserts and flour based food products. Some people in the west had begun to use black rice on their main dishes. And you can find some black rice recipes here: http://blackrice.com/recipes/