Know These Incredible Red Rice Health Benefits
Rice comprises our staple, maybe an identity for most of us. Asian and Indian cuisines are renowned for their combinations of gravy and rice, and not without reason. Rice can assimilate the rich curry flavours, and every mouthful has an even taste. You must have heard about white rice, brown rice, and even black rice, whole of which carry a nutritional value. Today, we will explore a rice variant which has a red colour.
Are you aware that 40,000 separate rice varieties are cultivated in India solely? In India, Utarrakhand and North-eastern farmers harvest varieties of red rice. Its chewy textures contain a punch, while the nutrition content comprises complex carbohydrates and rich dietary fibre, which peps up the metabolism.
Overview of Red Rice
Red rice constitutes a grainy, long rice variety which acquires its reddish tinge on account of the presence of anthocyanin – a pigment that is water soluble. Present in partial or completely hulled varieties, red rice carries a nutty flavour with an abundance of nutritional content in comparison to polished rice. The botanical name for red rice is Oryza longistaminata or Oryza punctata. It is called Rakthashali in Ayurveda, whereas in Kerala which mostly consume it, it is designated as Kerala Red Rice or Palakkadan Matta Rice.
It is prevalent as Rakthashali in the primitive texts and is hugely valued for its unique ability to suppress all tridoshas: Pitta, Kapha and Vaata. Red rice, though time-taking to cook, includes a combination of minerals and antioxidants which play an essential role in fortifying the body.
Assuming one is not speaking of a weed for red yeast rice; red rice is present in different forms. Certain cultivars are short grained and are amazingly sticky, while others are long-grained. Red rice is cultivated in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the American South, and some companies have built their individual cultivars by crossbreeding different varieties.
Whenever red rice is cooked, the innate red colorization in the bran, or rice hull, leaches out and stains the remainder of the dish red to pink. Red rice has plenty of fibre, on account of the bran, and flavour is considerably stronger in comparison to hulled rice, tasting fuller and nuttier. Red rice works effectively with several foods and also consumed by itself, even it can be incorporated in risotto and other mixed rice dishes also. So, red rice is now regarded an extremely healthy type of whole grain.
Health Benefits of Red Rice
Interestingly, with the growth of health awareness among people, the popularity of red rice has increased, and it is solely due to its umpteen health advantages. Nearly 40,000 strains of rice are present; nevertheless, our knowledge is just restricted to only some common variants, on account of the paradigm change in the consumption behaviours induced by awareness among the masses.
Further, Red rice is endowed with the goodness of magnesium and antioxidants, which assists in avoiding and healing different diseases. Lately, with the advancement of social media, red rice is a craze among people for its amazing health benefits.
The magical rice works wonders for different health issues in this way.
1. Aids in Managing Diabetes
Red rice assists to regulate the insulin level. The low glycemic index of red rice at around 55, aids in regulating the sugar level and is beneficial for diabetic patients. High blood sugar levels can devastate your health and interfere with the activity of all primary organs including liver, eyes, heart and kidneys. Apart from regulating your blood sugar levels, red rice keeps you satiated for more hours, stopping those midday cravings.
2. Combats Lung Ailments
The corona virus pandemic has awakened us to the value of lung health in a new way. Because the contagious infection always spreads stealthily, people with a history of lung diseases such as pneumonia and asthma are at increased risk. Consuming red rice promotes lung capacity, due to its abundant amounts of magnesium. Besides regulating and boosting breathing patterns it also enhances oxygen intake, and circulation within each body cell.
3. Builds Bone Wellness
Red rice figures in your dietary chart as a splendid pick. If you are seeking to lose weight without affecting strength, it is highly advised for those more than 40 years since it aids in stopping the onset of osteoporosis, arthritis, and different bone associated disorders, on account of the presence of magnesium and calcium in copious amounts.
4. Aids in Digestion
Red rice constitutes an incredible source of soluble and insoluble fibre and is highly advised for individuals with digestive problems. Digestive fibre plays a fundamental role in controlling digestion, the optimal assimilation of nutrients, and the relaxing of intestinal transit.
This rice upon proper cooking and consumption aids to treat both diarrhea and constipation.
5. Boost Loss of Weight
Red rice, even in minute quantities, performs wonders concerning weight loss. Maintains you full for a long time, promotes digestion, and triggers loss of weight. The fat content in this versatile rice is nil, rendering it a perfect second dish whether for dinner or lunch. Unlike other carbohydrate-rich strains of rice, red rice provides 45 grams of carbohydrates following cooking, enabling you to consume it without bothering about putting on weight. Therefore, savour it as you wish without bothering about getting fat.
6. Keeps the heart healthy
High levels of unhealthy cholesterol are among the main triggers of various heart diseases. Clogged arteries cause heart attacks which could be fatal. Doctors suppose that switching from white rice to red rice improves heart health. The whole grains existence within rice reduces the bad cholesterol levels within the body, thus safeguarding the heart.
7. Possess an Internal Glow
Among the specific properties of red rice is its existence of anthocyanin, an antioxidant that can slow down indications of premature aging. If you are frequently open to sunrays and are afflicted with UV caused skin ailments, you should consume red rice frequently. Vitamins such as iron zinc and different minerals make your skin shine from within.
8. Contains Antioxidants to Fight Free Radicals
Brown/red rice comprises a superb source of manganese or iron. Mangan, which was just instrumental in manufacturing body energy, is an essential element of the enzyme, besides being an antioxidant that may protect the body from free radicals which develop after the energy produced. Moreover, red/brown rice is loaded with zinc, a mineral that can aid speed up wound healing and keep the defence mechanisms of the body to work efficiently. Similar to manganese or iron, zinc is chock-full of antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals that might harm cells and tissues within the body.
The antioxidants within red rice aid boost the body’s immunity by removing toxins. In this manner, it assists in maintaining the cells and tissues energised and healthy. The immune system becomes refreshed and revitalized.
9. Including Vitamin B6
By taking just one serving of brown/red rice, can serve 23% of vitamin B6, the amount needed for the working of the organ. This specific vitamin is needed to aid balance the growth of serotonin, red blood cells aiding the production of DNA cells.
10. Can Reduce High Cholesterol
Human studies in 1970 reported the effect of red rice on lowering the blood levels of net cholesterol. The active ingredient in red rice is monacolin K. It resembles lovastatin which is the prescription cholesterol-reducing drug, Mevacor. As per Emedtv, the United States FDA has held that just because lovastatin is actually a prescription drug, any red rice supplement with a significant dosage of lovastatin is certainly an unendorsed drug instead of a dietary supplement. Do not consume red rice during your pregnancy, have liver ailment, or are below 18. Side effects comprise heartburn, gas and dizziness.
11. It’s Abundant in Iron
This benefit is particularly helpful for those who have iron inadequacy or are anaemic. Besides the supplements taken by you, you may wish to include red rice in your diet, as it’s an abundant source of iron. Healthy men require a minimum 8mg of iron daily, while women require 18mg. With just ¼ cup serving of red rice, you get to meet 2 percent of your daily iron needs.
Iron is extremely vital in your body for you to function well. Oxygen is required by your body to circulate; otherwise, you’ll feel weak the whole day. More vitally, iron also aids drive away any infection that may invade your body. Besides, red rice also includes selenium, which aids combat various infections.
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Wrapping Up
The health advantages mentioned above are just a few of the inspiring ones that you stand to get by consuming red rice. Particularly when rice is a staple within your household, you’ll wish to make this better transformation.
What your intake daily can hugely impact your health along with your family. So, you’re going to wish to make this impact a positive one. These benefits that you obtain from red rice should assure you sufficiently that performing this switch is, indeed, the prudent choice. Now, begin including red rice on your grocery list immediately.
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Sujata Sanyal
Sujata Sanyal has been in the writing circuit for the past 7 years and has touched upon various genres like travel, health, lifestyle, a wee bit of technology, cuisine, product descriptions and a bevy of others. 1 part of her is interested in animated political discussions, 2nd part interested in studying biographies and the remainder part in love with music and socially relevant work. Too many parts?
