Black rice has the effects of nourishing yin and kidneys, replenishing qi and strengthening the body, strengthening the spleen and whetting the appetite, and tonifying the liver and improving vision. It is a nourishing treasure for anti-aging, beauty, disease prevention, and health strengthening. Regular consumption by women can help with anti-aging and weight loss.
Red Date and Black Rice Porridge
1. Regular consumption of black rice for anti-aging and weight loss
Black rice is known as the "black pearl." It is a type of rice with a purplish-red pericarp. Because of its glutinous texture, it is also called black glutinous rice. Black glutinous rice is highly nutritious. In addition to containing protein, fat, and carbohydrates, it is also rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1, B2, and more.
The outer bran layer of black rice contains anthocyanin pigments, which have strong anti-aging effects. Studies have shown that the darker the color of the rice, the more significant the anti-aging effect of its表皮 pigment. Therefore, the effect of black rice pigment is the strongest among all colored rice varieties. Furthermore, these pigments are rich in flavonoid active substances, five times more than that of white rice, and play a significant role in preventing arteriosclerosis.
In addition, black rice is relatively rich in dietary fiber, and its starch digests slowly, with a glycemic index of 55 (compared to 87 for white rice). Therefore, eating black rice does not cause drastic fluctuations in blood sugar as eating white rice does. The minerals such as potassium and magnesium in black rice are also beneficial for controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Diabetics and patients with cardiovascular diseases can include black rice as part of their dietary regimen.
2. Black rice should be cooked until it is soft and tender
To preserve more nutrients, black rice is mostly consumed directly as "brown rice" after dehusking. This coarse-textured black rice is best for making porridge. When cooking porridge, to soften it more quickly, it is best to soak it in advance to allow it to fully absorb water. To prevent the pigments in the black rice from dissolving into the soaking water, you can gently rinse it in cold water before soaking, but do not rub it vigorously. The water used for soaking the rice should be cooked together with the rice and not discarded to retain its nutritional value.
Black rice must be cooked until it is completely soft and tender before it can be eaten. This is because the outer layer of black rice is a relatively tough seed coat, which is difficult to be broken down and digested by gastric acid and digestive enzymes if not cooked thoroughly, easily causing indigestion and acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, people with indigestion should not eat uncooked black rice. People with weak digestive abilities after illness should not rush to eat black rice.
Recommended Black Rice Recipe: Red Date and Black Rice Porridge
First, soak red beans, peanuts, black rice, and white rice in water for one hour. In a pressure cooker, add the soaked red beans, peanuts, black rice, white rice, and red dates. Add a small pot of water and press the porridge mode. After cooking, add two spoonfuls of rock sugar and it is ready to enjoy.
Red dates and black rice porridge