The Emergence of Black Rice

Black Rice in Raw Form

One of the most well known foods around the world is white and brown rice, but there is a rare counterpart that is in itself extremely nutritious and it's black rice.  Black rice is toted as being very high in Vitamin E and is said to rival the antioxidant content found in blueberries.  A short background of black rice begins in ancient China where the grain was labeled as "forbidden rice" because of it's natural black color.  It's a shame that it was condemned as something bad or evil because the nutritional content found in black rice is very impressive.  Black rice in fact has more antioxidants per serving when compared with a serving of blueberries and it also has less sugar, more fiber, and a lot more Vitamin E.  Consuming high amounts of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber all which are found in black rice, can reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease (two of the biggest killers in the United States).  Antioxidants help your immune system fight off everyday diseases and lower your blood pressure which in turn helps ward off heart disease.

Black Vs. Brown Rice

Brown rice is very popular within American cuisine and all around the world and it is a far better choice when compared to white rice.  The problem with white rice is it's basically a complex carbohydrate which means there are no whole grains or fiber within the rice so it turns directly into sugar within your system and that sugar turns directly into fat (usually in all the wrong places).  Brown rice on the other hand, is filled with fiber and is a whole grain but when compared to black rice, brown rice has to take a backseat.  Black rice has more antioxidants and Vitamin E.  Black rice isn't very popular within American cuisine and it is mostly found in Asian countries.  Black rice is found in varieties of sushi, puddings, and noodles.  Since black rice is being labeled as the new "superfood" and "cancer fighter" it may become more relevant and popular in American cuisine.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/029735_black_rice_antioxidants.html