The Miraculous Forbidden Rice: Black Rice

Despite enjoying less popularity than white rice and brown rice, the health benefits of black rice also known as forbidden rice is manifold.

Loaded with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and anti-inflammatory properties, it has the ability to help stop the development of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and even weight gain. In fact centuries ago this rice was only reserved for Chinese royalty.

A one-half cup serving of cooked black rice, or about ¼ cup uncooked, contains approximately (in daily recommended values):

* 160 calories

* 1.5 grams of fat

* 34 grams of carbohydrates

* 2 grams of fiber

* 5 grams of protein

* 4% DV for iron

The health benefits of black rice are numerous:

* Jam-packed with antioxidants:

The outermost layer of the rice grain contains one of the highest levels of the antioxidant anthocyanin found in any known food.

Anthocyanin antioxidants have been known to help in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, protection against cancer that can be caused by free radical damage, improvement of brain function and reduction of inflammation.

* Protects heart health:

Black rice decreases dangerous atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arteries. Moreover the specific anthocyanins phytochemicals found in black rice help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by reducing total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, and total triacylglycerol concentrations.

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Helps in Detoxification:

Consumption of black rice helps in detoxification and it also helps in the cleansing of harmful toxic build-up in the liver due to its antioxidants.

The phytonutrients found in black rice help the body to reduce inflammation and to cleanse the body of harmful substances that can contribute to a wide range of conditions.

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Fiber content improves digestive health:

The fiber in black rice helps to prevent constipation, bloating, and other unwanted digestive symptoms. Consumption of black rice creates a sense of fullness for a long time thus helps in weight loss.

* Helps slow down absorption of sugar in the blood, helping to prevent diabetes:

Black rice contains the entire bran of the grain where the fiber is stored which helps glucose (sugar) from the grain to be absorbed by the body over a longer period of time.

This helps in prevention of diabetes. Researchers found that white rice was more likely to contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes risk.

Black rice truly is a miracle food and is the best friend to anyone on a journey towards weight loss.