Why is black rice useful and how to cook it

The benefits and harms of black rice have been known since ancient times. This cereal was called forbidden in China; ordinary citizens of the country had no right to use it. Black rice was for the emperor only. This black cereal is currently sold in health food stores.

How is black rice different from white

Black or wild rice has nothing to do with white rice grains. These are the grains of the aquatic plant Zizania aquatica, which grows in natural conditions up to 3 m in height.

Other differences:

Rice can be of different colors, as they differ in nutrient content per 100 g of product:

The table shows that it is black rice that has the richest health benefits. In addition, it contains the most antioxidants. It is not for nothing that even in ancient China, wild rice was called "the grain of longevity and youth."

Types of black rice

There are only 2 types of black or wild rice, which differ in the way they are used:

1. Thai. These cereals are mainly used for making sweet puddings.
2. Nanking. Purpose - salads and spicy dishes of oriental cuisine.

Chemical composition of black rice

The chemical constituent of wild rice is so multifaceted that it is almost impossible to list all the useful components. Black rice consists of:

1. Vitamins B, A, E, K, H, PP, C and folic acid.
2. The presence of antioxidants is no different from blueberries, natural red wine, red grapes, strawberries, red cabbage.
3. More than 40 macro- and microelements such as iodine, copper, fluorine and others.
4. More than 18 amino acids.
5. Lecithin, protein, biologically active substances and fiber.
6. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates and glucose.

Even this short list allows you to understand the benefits and value of black rice for the human body.

Nutritional value and calorie content of black rice

Wild rice is a low-calorie food. Content of one serving (100 g):

• 105 Kcal;
• fats - 1.6 g;
• carbohydrates - 34 g;
• fiber - 2 g;
• proteins - 5 g;
• iron - 4% of the daily value.

The benefits of black rice for the body

Before you start eating black rice, you need to study the health benefits and harms of the grain. First, about the beneficial properties. This cereal contributes to:

• increased immunity;
• normalization of the digestive system;
• freeing the body from toxic substances and toxins;
• preservation of youth;
• normalization of the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• reducing the risk of developing oncology and diabetes mellitus;
• improving the state of the body after various types of operations and physical exertion;
• restoration of the structure of hair and nails, skin rejuvenation.

Helps recover from illness or childbirth

Due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, doctors recommend black rice to patients after serious illnesses and to women in labor in the first months after the birth of the baby. This product is not harmful to newborns.

Protects the heart and blood vessels

Wild rice contains a lot of anthocyanin or glycoside. That is why the grains are black. The trace element has a beneficial effect on the heart muscle and blood vessels, relieves the inflammatory process. People who regularly eat wild rice have improved brain function.

Removes harmful substances from the body

It is also beneficial that black rice contains more antioxidants than other varieties of this crop. Together with fiber, they bind toxic substances in the body. This product is especially important for elimination from alcohol poisoning.

Improves the digestive tract

Black rice dishes are recommended for people who have serious problems with the digestive system. You can forget about constipation, bloating and other troubles with the gastrointestinal tract due to its beneficial properties. In addition, due to its high fiber content, satiety lasts longer, although the serving of black rice may be small.

Prevents the development of diabetes

Dietary fiber contained in black cereals is useful in that it can relieve inflammation in the human body. And the carbohydrates that make up the grains are absorbed slowly. These two components of wild rice can prevent the development of not only diabetes, but also other diseases:

• oncology;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• obesity.

Gluten Free

Virtually all cereals contain gluten. It is part of the protein. For many people, this sticky substance is harmful because it causes allergies.

There is no gluten in black cereals. It contains other proteins - glutamine and asparagine.

Protects the liver

The liver is known to be a hematopoietic organ. Almost the entire human body depends on its health. Black cereal dishes cleanse and strengthen blood vessels, reduce cholesterol. Detoxification removes toxic substances from the liver.

Contains antioxidants

The shell of black cereal contains a large amount of antioxidants or glycoside. This substance has useful properties, since it normalizes the cardiovascular system, prevents the development of oncology, and contributes to the normal functioning of the brain.

The benefits of black rice for weight loss

Wild-grown product is low in calories. But even a small serving of boiled black rice satiates faster than regular food. Besides, I don't feel like eating for a long time.

This feature of wild cereals is widely used by nutritionists, making up a healthy menu for those who want to lose weight.

Is black rice suitable for pregnant and lactating women

Women during pregnancy and lactation may not refuse to use the product, because it does not harm. Wild rice restores the body after childbirth, promotes lactation.

The use of black rice in traditional medicine

A wild product in folk medicine is called "live" and is widely used for various medicinal purposes. In Japan, since ancient times, members of the royal family ate 1-2 tbsp daily. spoons of sprouts or flour of this useful product to eliminate problems with the digestive system, as well as for rejuvenation.

And now about how to properly germinate a cereal without harm to the body:

1. Rinse the grains by changing the water several times.
2. Soak the groats in warm water, select the floating specimens.
3. Cover the black rice with cheesecloth and leave for 10 hours.
4. Rinse the groats again and add water.
5. After 2-3 days, rice will begin to germinate, grains with white sprouts can be eaten.

Before eating, the rice is ground in a meat grinder or in a coffee grinder. The crushed mass is mixed with yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese or tea. You can add rice to baked goods.

How black rice is used in cosmetology

Not only nutritionists are eyeing wild rice. It is also used by cosmetologists to improve the condition of the skin, hair, nails. The anti-aging properties of cereals were first noticed in ancient times. Japanese geisha still use black rice powder to protect their skin from the harmful effects of makeup.

Face masks based on black rice

Healing face masks are prepared from black rice grits, because this product:

• rejuvenates;
• whitens;
• protects from the sun;
• mattifies and exfoliates.

It should be noted that wild rice masks are harmless for all skin types. It is enough to apply them twice a week and keep them on the face for a third of an hour.

Mask recipe for tired skin

A tired woman can be identified by the skin of her face. She becomes faded and flabby. So it's time to use a nourishing mask.

Ingredients:

• rice flour - 2 tbsp. l .;
• apple and orange;
• low-fat yogurt.

Features of preparation and use:

1. Turn apple and orange into puree.
2. Add flour and stir until smooth.
3. Pour in yogurt.
4. Refrigerate for half an hour to swell.
5. Cleanse your face and apply a mask.
6. Wash off with warm water after 20 minutes, cool the skin with an ice cube.

Black rice for hair beauty

Rice masks are useful for strengthening hair, restoring its structure and oiliness, and removing dandruff.

Wild rice can be used as:

• shampoo;
• hair styling product;
• nourishing mask;
• rinse aid.

Recipe number 1

Composition:

• 2 slices of black yeast-free bread;
• 1 tsp honey;
• water - 2 tbsp.;
• 0.5 tbsp. infusion of wild rice.

How to cook:

1. The bread is poured with warm water.
2. In another container, combine the infusion and honey.
3. When the bread softens, it is squeezed out and combined with a mixture of rice and honey, mixed.

The mask is applied to the hair, the head is massaged for 2 minutes and washed off with warm water.

Recipe number 2

This is an excellent mask for hair prone to frequent coloring.

Required:

• 2 tsp rice infusion;
• 1 tsp castor oil;
• 1 tsp burdock oil.

The ingredients are mixed and rubbed into the scalp every day. You do not need to wash off, as the mask is not harmful.

Recipe number 3

Such a mask is suitable for dandruff, which includes:

• 1 tbsp. l. decoction of oak bark;
• 2 tbsp. l. decoction of black rice;
• 1 tsp honey.

Combine all products until smooth and rub into the scalp. After an hour, wash off with warm water.

Using black rice for hair accelerates hair growth and gives a healthy shine.

How to cook black rice

For cooking wild cereals, cast iron, Teflon dishes or a stainless steel pan are used. But the enameled container is not recommended to be taken, since it is stained, and it is almost impossible to wash it.

It is recommended to soak cereals overnight before cooking.In the morning, grains are poured with clean water in a 1: 3 ratio and boiled for about an hour.

Cooked rice increases in volume by 3 times. The container is left on the stove for 15 minutes. You cannot mix the contents.

What is black rice combined with

The healthy grain can be used with a variety of foods:

• with vegetables and fruits that do not contain starch;
• with meat, fish products;
• Rice groats go well with sesame seeds, nuts and legumes.

Black rice can be used to make soup, snacks and light salads.

Harm of black rice and contraindications to use

Despite the beneficial properties of black rice, it is worth checking its effect on yourself, whether it will cause a negative reaction associated with the individual tolerance of the product. Moreover, excessive consumption of cereals can harm the body.

Doctors do not recommend using an exotic product:

1. With chronic bowel diseases, especially during an exacerbation.
2. For diseases of the kidneys and bladder, since wild rice has a great diuretic property.

How to choose and store black rice

Since the cost of exotic rice for a small package varies within 300 rubles, there are many dealers who decided to raise a lot of money. They mix brown and red rice with wild cereals. That is why you need to purchase the product in special stores.

Selection rules:

1. Real wild rice has an anthracite color and a shiny surface.
2. It is easy to check a real product or a fake: you need to put the seeds in water acidified with vinegar. If the liquid turns pink, it means that the cereal is natural.
3. If the black layer comes off when scratched, then it is a fake.
4. The packaging with cereals should not be damaged.
5. The shelf life of black rice is only 2 years from the date of harvest, so the date on the package is also important.

You need to store cereals in a glass jar with a tight lid, as it oxidizes in the open air. There should be no products with a pungent smell next to exotic rice.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of black rice are of interest to many health-conscious people. This product is truly powerful. The main advantage of wild cereals is the elimination of toxins and toxins.

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