Move over blueberries, there's a new superfood. Black rice is the new darling of health researchers, thanks to its many health benefits and its unique properties. Not only is it full of antioxidants and fiber, but it may be used soon as a natural food color.
Black rice has been around for ages. It was called "forbidden rice" in ancient China, since the commoners were not allowed to eat it. Only the nobles got the extra taste and nutrition.
It's been relatively rare in the U.S. until recently, but news of its benefits is making it much more common and driving up the demand.
"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 fiber and vitamin E antioxidants," says Zhimin Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge.
In addition, the pigments in black rice bran extracts can produce a variety of different colors, ranging from pink to black, and may provide a healthier alternative to artificial food colorings. Multiple studies have linked artificial food colorings to cancer, behavioral problems in children, and other health problems.
It's a litle tricky to find black rice now, but it is available. In Minnesota, stores like Whole Foods carry it. You can also order it online from organic stores like Barry Farm or on Amazon.com.
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