What is black rice and what is the use 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 simple mortal dared to taste a valuable cereal, he was awaited by a painful execution. Anyone can taste this grain today.

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

History of the origin of black rice

An unusual grain crop has been cultivated 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 rice has nothing to do with traditional rice. These are the seeds of the wild hygrophilous herb Zizania latifolia, common in China. The grains are oval in shape, with a black core and a thin shell.

Dark rice is so called because of its external similarity to the white rice crop. However, in color, composition and properties, it has nothing to do 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 useful components. Here are some of them:

• vitamins A, B, C, E, K, PP, H;
• more than 40 trace elements, 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 100 g - 105 kcal. Protein content - 5 g, fat - 16 g, carbohydrates - 34 g, fiber - 2 g, 4% of the daily value of iron.

The product has a low glycemic index - 35 units.

How is black rice different from white

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

Black differs from the white variety:

• shape: white - oblong and round, black - oval.
• consistency: in classic rice the grains are soft, in dark varieties they are hard, requiring soaking.
• Taste: Homemade white rice tastes familiar to us, while wild plant is sweet and has a nutty flavor.

Cereals also have different nutrient content:

The table shows that wild black rice is the most beneficial to health. No wonder in ancient China he was dubbed "the grain of longevity and youth."

Types of black rice

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

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

Useful properties for the body

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

Let's start with the beneficial properties:

• enhances immunity;
• preserves youth, rejuvenates the skin, slows down the aging process;
• normalizes the digestive system;
• releases slags and toxins from the body;
• lowers cholesterol levels;
• reduces pressure;
• normalizes the work of the nervous and cardiovascular system;
• strengthens the visual system;
• restores hair and nails;
• reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes;
• normalizes 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 exertion.

Gluten free

Nearly all grains are gluten-free. This sticky substance causes an allergic reaction in some people. Some sources claim that one in six people is sensitive to gluten, but real intolerance (celiac disease) is diagnosed in only less than 1% of the population. So the demonization of gluten these days is more of a tribute to fashion.

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

Important! Black rice varieties are non-allergenic.

Improves the digestive tract

People with digestive problems are strongly advised 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 a duet with fiber, these two substances remove toxins and toxins 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. Through detoxification, the liver - the main blood-forming organ - is cleansed of toxins.

Dietary fiber in dark rice fights inflammation. And the carbohydrates in grains are digested slowly... This prevents development:

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

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

The benefits of black rice for weight loss

Black cereal - low-calorie product, but even a small portion of it contributes to the rapid and long-term saturation of the body.

These features of the wild rice culture attracted the attention of nutritionists, who began to compose a menu for those wishing to lose extra pounds based on it.

Express diet

The duration of this diet is 1-3 days:

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

It is not recommended to go to 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 breakfast with rice porridge.
3. Do not eat or drink for the next 2 hours.

For lunch and dinner, you can cook the usual dishes, but to enhance the effect, it is recommended to exclude sweet, starchy foods, smoked and fried foods.

Can black rice be pregnant and lactating

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

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

Application

The wild rice variety has been nicknamed "alive" 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 keep them young.

In folk medicine

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

1. To cleanse the body... Rice is soaked in water, then cooked for 5 minutes. The grains prepared in this way contain a minimal amount of starch and cleanse the digestive tract, like a sponge absorbing toxins and toxins.
2. To lower cholesterol... 100-200 g of cereals are boiled without salt and spices. The dish can be divided into several times 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. For this, rice is boiled and consumed 5-6 times a day in equal portions. Herbal tea and water (at least 2 l) complement the diet.

In cosmetology

Dark rice is great at fighting the signs of aging, improving skin, hair and nails and fighting inflammation.

Mask to restore facial skin tone

This mask is recommended to be done once a week:

1. Grind 2 tbsp. l. rice sprouts and mix with 2 tbsp. l. fatty sour cream.
2. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil.
3. Apply to cleansed and dry face skin, keep for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water.

Rice decoction for hair

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

1. Pour 2 tbsp. l. black rice 400-500 ml of 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 mass with vegetable oil or cream until the consistency of sour cream.
3. Apply to the body with massage movements.

Purifying mask

This recipe is great for inflammation and skin rashes:

1. Grind and soak dark rice grains.
2. Apply gruel to cleansed and steamed face for 10-15 minutes.
3. Wash 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. Gastrointestinal problems... With an exacerbation of diseases, the use of a wild variety will worsen the state of health, can cause indigestion.
2. Individual intolerance. Despite the fact that black rice is considered hypoallergenic, allergic reactions are rare, especially in children.
3. Kidney problems. Black rice promotes the elimination of fluid from the body, which can lead to complications of kidney failure.

Contraindications include:

• chronic bowel disease;
• kidney and bladder diseases;
• hemorrhoids;
• diabetes mellitus - in patients, there is a deterioration in the condition with excessive use of the product.

Conclusion

Black rice is a storehouse of beneficial trace elements and vitamins. With its help, you can improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and the 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 grain crops.