11 Surprising Benefits and Uses of Black Rice
Also called forbidden or purple rice, black rice is a type of rice that belongs to the Oryza sativa L. species (1Trusted Source).
Black rice gets its signature black-purple color from a pigment called anthocyanin, which has potent antioxidant properties (2Trusted Source).
In ancient China, it’s said that black rice was considered so unique and nutritious that it was forbidden for all but royalty (1Trusted Source).
Today, thanks to its mild, nutty flavor, chewy texture, and many nutritional benefits, black rice can be found in numerous cuisines around the world.
Here are 11 benefits and uses of black rice.
1. Good source of several nutrients
Compared with other types of rice, black rice is one of the highest in protein (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
Per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), black rice contains 9 grams of protein, compared with 7 grams for brown rice (3Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).
It’s also a good source of iron — a mineral that’s essential for carrying oxygen throughout your body (7Trusted Source)
A 1/4 cup (45 grams) of uncooked black rice provides (3Trusted Source):
Calories: 160
Fat: 1.5 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Carbs: 34 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Iron: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)
2. Rich in antioxidants
In addition to being a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, black rice is especially high in several antioxidants (8Trusted Source).
Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells against oxidative stress caused by molecules known as free radicals (9Trusted Source).
They’re important, as oxidative stress has been associated with an increased risk of several chronic conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer (9Trusted Source).
Despite being less popular than other rice varieties, research shows that black rice has the highest overall antioxidant capacity and activity (10Trusted Source).
In fact, in addition to anthocyanin, black rice has been found to contain over 23 plant compounds with antioxidant properties, including several types of flavonoids and carotenoids (8Trusted Source).
Therefore, adding black rice to your diet can be an easy way to incorporate more disease-protecting antioxidants into your diet.
3. Contains the plant compound anthocyanin
Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoid plant pigments that are responsible for the purple color of black rice, as well as several other plant based foods like blueberries and purple sweet potatoes (2Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
Research shows that anthocyanins have strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects (2Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).
Furthermore, animal, test-tube, and population studies have shown that eating foods high in anthocyanins may help protect against several chronic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, and some forms of cancer (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
4. May boost heart health
Research on black rice’s effects on heart health is limited. However, many of its antioxidants have been shown to help protect against heart disease.
Flavonoids like those found in black rice have been associated with a decreased risk of developing and dying from heart disease (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
Additionally, early research in animals and humans suggests that anthocyanins may help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels (13Trusted Source).
One study in 120 adults with high cholesterol levels found that taking two 80-mg anthocyanin capsules per day for 12 weeks resulted in significantly improved HDL (good) cholesterol levels and significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (19Trusted Source).
Another study analyzing the effects of a high cholesterol diet on plaque accumulation in rabbits found that adding black rice to the high cholesterol diet resulted in 50% less plaque buildup, compared with diets containing white rice (20Trusted Source).
While this study suggests that eating black rice may protect against heart disease, these results have not been observed in humans.
5. May have anticancer properties
Anthocyanins from black rice may also have potent anticancer properties.
A review of population based studies found that higher intake of anthocyanin-rich foods was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer (16Trusted Source).
Furthermore, a test-tube study found that anthocyanins from black rice reduced the number of human breast cancer cells, as well as slowed their growth and ability to spread (21Trusted Source).
While promising, more research in humans is needed to fully understand the ability of the anthocyanins in black rice to reduce the risk and spread of certain types of cancer.
6. May support eye health
Research shows that black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin — two types of carotenoids that are associated with eye health (8Trusted Source).
These compounds work as antioxidants to help protect your eyes from potentially damaging free radicals (22Trusted Source).
In particular, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to help protect the retina by filtering out harmful blue light waves (22Trusted Source).
Research suggests that these antioxidants may play an important role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They may also decrease your risk of cataracts and diabetic retinopathy (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).
Finally, a 1-week study in mice found that consuming anthocyanin extract from black rice resulted in significantly less retinal damage when animals were exposed to fluorescent lights. Still, these findings have not been replicated in humans (27Trusted Source).
7. Naturally gluten-free
Gluten is a type of protein found in cereal grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye.
People with celiac disease need to avoid gluten, as it triggers an immune response in the body that damages the small intestine (28Trusted Source).
Gluten can also cause negative gastrointestinal side effects, such as bloating and abdominal pain, in individuals with gluten sensitivity (28Trusted Source).
While many whole grains contain gluten, black rice is a nutritious, naturally gluten-free option that can be enjoyed by those on a gluten-free diet.
8. May aid weight loss
Black rice is a good source of protein and fiber, both of which can help promote weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).
Furthermore, early animal research suggests that anthocyanins like those found in black rice may help reduce body weight and body fat percentage (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
One 12-week study found that giving mice with obesity on a high fat diet anthocyanins from black rice resulted in a 9.6% reduction in body weight. However, these results have not been replicated in humans (21Trusted Source).
While research on black rice’s role in weight loss in humans is limited, it has been found to help reduce weight when combined with brown rice.
In a 6-week study in 40 women with excess weight, those who ate a mix of brown and black rice up to 3 times per day on a calorie-restricted diet lost significantly more body weight and body fat than those eating white rice (31Trusted Source).
9–10. Other potential benefits
Black rice may also offer other potential benefits, including:
Lower blood sugar levels. Animal studies suggest that eating black rice and other anthocyanin-containing foods may help reduce blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Human studies are needed to confirm these effects (32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).
May decrease your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A study in mice found that adding black rice to a high fat diet significantly reduced fat accumulation in the liver (34Trusted Source).
11. Easy to cook and prepare
Cooking black rice is easy and similar to cooking other forms of rice.
To prepare it, simply combine rice and water or stock in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover it and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the rice for 30–35 minutes, or until it’s tender, chewy, and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes before removing the lid. Use a fork to help fluff the rice before serving.
Unless specified otherwise on the package, for every 1 cup (180 grams) of uncooked black rice, use 2 1/4 cups (295 ml) of water or stock.
To keep the rice from becoming gummy when cooking, it’s recommended to rinse the rice under cool water before cooking to remove some of the extra starch on the surface.
Once the rice is ready, you can use it in any dish in which you would use brown rice, such as in a grain bowl, stir-fry, salad, or rice pudding.
