Today, wild rice is gaining more and more popularity not only among gourmets, but also among supporters of a healthy lifestyle. It is believed to be much more useful than its white counterpart. But, like everything else in the world, it has its pros and cons.
The benefits of wild rice
The presence of wild (black) rice in the diet is especially important for those who observe fasting, as well as for strict vegetarians, because this product is a source of plant proteins: it contains 18 amino acids necessary for humans. The amino acids that are not found in black rice (glutamine and asparagine) can be compensated for by consuming legumes with it, for example, chickpeas (lamb peas), lentils and beans. You can also combine it with nuts or seeds.
Wild rice has a beneficial effect on intestinal activity due to its high fiber content. Having in its composition a large amount of vegetable proteins, vitamins and minerals, it is recommended to regularly include wild rice in their diet for children, as well as those who are actively involved in sports. It is useful to use it for people suffering from obesity: it improves digestion, has a cleansing effect on the body.
Eating this product has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, since it contains many vitamins of group B. Black rice is simply irreplaceable for the body of a pregnant woman: one serving contains the daily amount of folic acid (vitamin B9).
This cereal contains no saturated fat at all, but, on the contrary, contains substances that normalize blood cholesterol levels. That is why wild rice is very useful for various cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease. At the same time, it tends to remove excess salts from the body, thereby reducing swelling and normalizing blood pressure.
Wild rice is surprisingly rich in minerals. It contains phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium, iodine, manganese and iron. The content of useful trace elements in this product is two-thirds of the daily value of an adult.
Wild rice: harm
It is worth making a reservation right away: wild rice does not contain any harmful substances. The only harm may lie in the fact that excessive consumption of it sometimes provokes constipation. However, this trouble is easy to avoid - just combine it with fresh vegetables and fruits (including dried fruits).
The disadvantages include the high cost of black rice, which, however, has good reason: manual labor is used in the cultivation of this wonderful cereal. In addition, the scale of its production is still quite insignificant, which also affects the pricing.