Is Black Rice the New Brown Rice....

According to ancient Chinese legend, black rice was so rare, tasty, and nutritious that only the emperors were allowed to eat it. Times have changed although black rice is still relatively rare, researchers are trying to bring its distinctive flavor and mix of antioxidants to the masses -- or at least to a grocery store near you.

If you've never heard of black rice, much less seen it, the dark-hued grain is now available at supermarkets such as Whole Foods and appears to be gaining a foothold in kitchens and restaurants.

Like brown rice, black rice is full of antioxidant-rich bran, which is found in the outer layer that gets removed during the milling process to make white rice. But only black-rice bran contains the antioxidants known as anthocyanins, purple and reddish pigments -- also found in blueberries, grapes, and acai -- that have been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, improvements in memory, and other health benefits.

One spoonful of black-rice bran -- or 10 spoonfuls of cooked black rice -- contains the same amount of anthocyanin as a spoonful of fresh blueberries, according to new studies. There are also researchers that think the black-rice bran has an advantage over blueberries, because blueberries still contain a high level of sugar.

The combination of antioxidants found in black rice packs a one-two punch that could make it a particularly good food for your health.Some antioxidants in black (and brown) rice are fat-soluble, while anthocyanins are water-soluble and can therefore reach different areas of the body.Black rice is still a niche product, but its popularity seems to be growing. Some people will still find it a challenge to incorporate brown rice in their diets just because it is a different flavor and is chewier then white rice. 

So next time your at the grocery and your walking down the rice isle and black rice, purple rice as it is known, glutinous black rice, spiritual rice or forbidden rice what ever it may be called catches your attention  I think it is worth looking at, buying it and trying it. 

Here's to your health!