Benefits of Black Sticky Rice for Health

Black sticky rice is a food that is often processed as porridge, cakes and puddings. Behind its legit taste, black sticky rice turned out to have many health benefits, ranging from maintaining digestive health to preventing heart disease and anticancer. Black glutinous rice is black when it hasn't been cooked. After cooking, the color turns purple. The black color of black sticky rice is a sign that this food ingredient contains abundant anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is an antioxidant pigment, which is also found in eggplants and blueberries. Black sticky rice also contains iron, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin E, and minerals such as potassium, sodium (sodium), magnesium, and zinc. From the many nutrients and vitamins above, we can conclude that the benefits of black sticky rice are also not less.

Benefits of Black Sticky Rice for Health

Various benefits of black sticky rice for health, including:

• Supports endurance

One of the benefits of black sticky rice for health is its effect in helping to strengthen the human immune system. In fact, according to a university research, black sticky rice has a better ability than brown rice for this matter. The ability of black sticky rice might be related to the high vitamin E in it. In addition to strengthening the immune system, vitamin E also protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. This may also be related to the high content of anthocyanin in black sticky rice. In fact, the content of anthocyanins, which are antioxidants, is higher in black sticky rice than in blueberries.

• Fighting cancer and heart disease

It turns out the benefits of black sticky rice are also considered to be used to help fight cancer and heart disease. Related to these benefits, an expert said, the content of anthocyanin in black sticky rice that plays an important role. Antioxidants are predicted to play a role in reducing levels of bad cholesterol or LDL, thus contributing to efforts to fight heart disease. In addition, antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Anthocyanin as an antioxidant is known to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But the discovery of the anticancer properties of this substance, still requires further research.

• Maintain digestive health

Black sticky rice is included in whole wheat, so the fiber content is quite high. Fiber is very important in maintaining intestinal health. In addition, fiber can also help you lose weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. According to research, black glutinous rice also has a good probiotic effect for the health of the digestive tract.

• Prevents anemia

Black sticky rice also contains iron which is needed for the formation of red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anemia. Therefore, consuming black sticky rice is believed to reduce the risk of anemia due to iron deficiency. However, this matter still needs to be studied further.

• Form cells and tissues

Black sticky rice is also rich in protein, so it can be an alternative source of vegetable protein. Protein is important in forming cells and building various body tissues, including skin and bone tissue.

• Natural food coloring

Apparently, the color pigment in black sticky rice can be used as a natural dye in food processing, ranging from pink to black. Using food coloring from black sticky rice will be better for health because it is a natural ingredient, rather than using artificial coloring. Some studies say that consuming food or drinks with artificial coloring has the potential to cause various health problems, such as an increased risk of cancer, hyperactivity in children, and allergies.

Some of the benefits of black sticky rice above are still limited to the theory and still need proof through further clinical research. However, there is no harm in putting black sticky rice into the daily diet, considering that it contains a variety of important nutrients.