Black rice - revered in ancient China but overlooked in the West -
could be the greatest 'superfoods', scientists revealed today.
The cereal is low in sugar but packed with healthy fibre and plant compounds that combat heart disease and cancer, say experts.
Scientists
from Louisiana State University analysed samples of bran from black
rice grown in the southern U.S. They found boosted levels of
water-soluble anthocyanin antioxidants.
Black rice is low in sugar but packed with
healthy fibre and plant compounds that combat heart disease and cancer,
according to scientists
Anthocyanins provide the dark colours of many fruits and vegetables,
such as blueberries and red peppers. They are what makes black rice 'black'.
Research suggests that the dark plant antioxidants, which mop up harmful
molecules, can help protect arteries and prevent the DNA damage that
leads to cancer.
Food scientist Dr Zhimin Xu said: 'Just a
spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin
antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less
sugar, and more fibre and vitamin E antioxidants.
'If berries
are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice bran?
Especially, black rice bran would be a unique and economical material to
increase consumption of health-promoting antioxidants.'
Centuries ago black rice was known as 'Forbidden Rice' in ancient China because only nobles were allowed to eat it.
Today black rice is mainly used in Asia for food decoration, noodles, sushi and desserts.
But food manufacturers could potentially use black rice bran or bran
extracts to make breakfast cereals, beverages, cakes, biscuits and other
foods healthier, said Dr Xu.
When rice is processed, millers
remove the outer layers of the grains to produce brown rice or more
refined white rice - the kind most widely consumed in the West.
Brown rice is said to be more nutritious because it has higher levels of healthy vitamin E compounds and antioxidants.
But according to Dr Xu's team, varieties of rice that are black or purple in colour are healthier still.
They added that black rice could also be used to provide healthier,
natural colourants. Studies linked some artificial colourants to cancer
and behavioural problems in children.
The scientists presented their findings today at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
Victoria
Taylor, senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'In
reality, it's unlikely there's a single food out there that will have a
great impact on lowering your risk of heart disease. Healthy eating is
about a balanced diet overall.
'It's great if you can eat more
of some groups of healthy foods, like having five portions of fruit and
veg a day, but there is still no conclusive evidence that 'super foods'
alone make a real difference to your heart health.'
More:-
The new superfood – "forbidden" black rice
Forget blueberries and blackberries, black rice is the new superfood, claim
scientists.
Just a spoonful of black rice – a variety from Asia – contains more of the
health giving properties than the equivalent so-called superfoods.
Black rice, which can be crushed into a bran, is sometimes known as "Forbidden
Rice" because in ancient China nobles commandeered every grain for
themselves and forbade the common people from eating it.
"Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting
anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but
with less sugar and more fibre and vitamin E antioxidants," said Dr
Zhimin Xu at the Louisiana State University.
"If berries are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice
bran? Especially, black rice bran would be a unique and economical material
to increase consumption of health promoting antioxidants."
Like fruits, "black rice" is rich in anthocyanin antioxidants,
substances that show promise for fighting heart disease, cancer, and other
diseases.
Food manufacturers could potentially use black rice bran or the bran extracts
to boost the health value of breakfast cereals, beverages, cakes, cookies,
and other foods.
Dr Xu, who reported her findings at the American Chemical Society conference
in Boston, said that farmers are interested in commercially growing black
rice which would make it even more cost effective.
