Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Why Does PM Narendra Modi Hails This Rice As A Superfood?

Black or forbidden <span>rice</span>, especially from Manipur, <span>Assam</span> and Meghalaya, has long been PM <span>Narendra Modi</span>'s favorite superfood and experts say it has even more antioxidants than blueberries!

Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, noted: "<span>Black rice</span> has been slow to cross over to places outside of Asia, but we are finally starting to understand its benefits as a healthy, appetizing and beautiful food."

Belonging to the species <em>Oryza sativa</em>, the rice refers to a type of heirloom rice that is used in traditional Chinese medicine and was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful, which is why it's known as 'forbidden'.

Black rice may be long-grain, medium or short-grain. Grown on a small scale, this rice is not as common as white, brown and red rice and is primarily grown in India's Northeastern states, as well as West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

<strong>Here are some of its health benefits: </strong>

Research shows that black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two types of carotenoids that work as antioxidants to help protect your eyes from potentially damaging free radicals. 

In particular, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to help protect the retina by filtering out harmful blue light waves, which are transmitted from all electronic devices as well as LED lamps. While it helps with alertness and mood during the day, excessive blue light exposure at night can suppress melatonin and disrupt sleep-wake cycles.

Previous research also suggests that black rice's high antioxidants may play an important role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It may also decrease the risk of cataracts and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes). 

<h2>2. Helps With Blood Sugar Management</h2>

Black rice is especially beneficial for those suffering from <span>Type 2 diabetes</span> as antioxidants and phytochemicals can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This helps the body to better use glucose, slows the rate at which the body absorbs sugar and lowers overall sugar levels in your blood.

<h2>3. Rich Source of Essential Nutrients</h2>

Black rice stands out among rice varieties due to its high protein content. In comparison to brown rice, which contains 7 grams of protein per 100 grams, black rice offers 9 grams. It is also a valuable source of iron, a mineral crucial for oxygen transport in the body.

A quarter cup (45 grams) of uncooked black rice provides:

<h2>4. Reduces Oxidative Stress </h2>Apart from being a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, black rice has about 23 antioxidant compounds that help protect your cells against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. 

High levels of oxidative stress have previously has been associated with an increased risk of several chronic conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer.

While research on black rice and heart health is ongoing, its high flavonoid has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Certain studies suggest that anthocyanins can improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol. While further research is needed, early findings suggest black rice may help reduce plaque buildup in arteries, which can help prevent <span>atherosclerosis</span> and reduce the risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-attack">heart attack</a></span>. 

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Black or forbidden rice, especially from Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya, has long been PM Narendra Modi's favorite superfood and experts say it has even more antioxidants than blueberries!Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, noted: "Black rice has been slow to cross over to places outside of Asia, but we are finally starting to understand its benefits as a healthy, appetizing and beautiful food."Belonging to the species Oryza sativa, the rice refers to a type of heirloom rice that is used in traditional Chinese medicine and was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful, which is why it's known as 'forbidden'.Black rice may be long-grain, medium or short-grain. Grown on a small scale, this rice is not as common as white, brown and red rice and is primarily grown in India's Northeastern states, as well as West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.Here are some of its health benefits: 1. Improves Eye Health Research shows that black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two types of carotenoids that work as antioxidants to help protect your eyes from potentially damaging free radicals. In particular, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to help protect the retina by filtering out harmful blue light waves, which are transmitted from all electronic devices as well as LED lamps. While it helps with alertness and mood during the day, excessive blue light exposure at night can suppress melatonin and disrupt sleep-wake cycles.Previous research also suggests that black rice's high antioxidants may play an important role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It may also decrease the risk of cataracts and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes). 2. Helps With Blood Sugar ManagementBlack rice is especially beneficial for those suffering from Type 2 diabetes as antioxidants and phytochemicals can improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This helps the body to better use glucose, slows the rate at which the body absorbs sugar and lowers overall sugar levels in your blood.3. Rich Source of Essential NutrientsBlack rice stands out among rice varieties due to its high protein content. In comparison to brown rice, which contains 7 grams of protein per 100 grams, black rice offers 9 grams. It is also a valuable source of iron, a mineral crucial for oxygen transport in the body.A quarter cup (45 grams) of uncooked black rice provides:Calories: 160Fat: 1.5 gramsProtein: 4 gramsCarbohydrates: 34 gramsFiber: 1 gramIron: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)4. Reduces Oxidative Stress Apart from being a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, black rice has about 23 antioxidant compounds that help protect your cells against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. High levels of oxidative stress have previously has been associated with an increased risk of several chronic conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer. 5. Boots Heart HealthWhile research on black rice and heart health is ongoing, its high flavonoid has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Certain studies suggest that anthocyanins can improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol. While further research is needed, early findings suggest black rice may help reduce plaque buildup in arteries, which can help prevent atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart attack. 