Purple pearl magic! Eating purple rice can help you lose weight, replenish blood, and fight aging... and there are other unexpected benefits

In recent years, there has been a wave of "purple power" in the food circle, and the nutrient that has become so popular that it is purple is none other than anthocyanin! It can not only fight inflammation and prevent cardiovascular disease, but can even prevent cancer. When it comes to anthocyanins, we don’t have to choose only fruits such as blueberries, grapes and mulberries. In fact, purple rice, a type of rice, is also rich in anthocyanins. Nutritionists further stated that girls who consume purple rice, also known as purple pearls, can also fight aging and prevent menstrual anemia. They recommend eating "purple rice and red bean porridge" to help replenish blood and reduce edema. Come and see what other unexpected benefits there are to eating purple rice.

The color of purple rice comes from anthocyanins, which have antioxidant properties.

Purple rice refers to black glutinous rice, which is a type of glutinous rice and tastes soft and chewy. 100 grams of purple rice contains 2.8 grams of dietary fiber, 295 milligrams of potassium, 12 milligrams of calcium, as well as rich vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, folic acid, and minerals required by the human body such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, and essential amino acids for the human body. The longan, red bean and purple rice porridge that most people love to eat is a nutritious purple rice dish.

Hong Ruopu, a nutritionist at the Zhongxiao branch of Taipei Municipal United Hospital, said that the color of purple rice comes from anthocyanins, and the essence of purple rice is the purple-black skin on the outside of the rice grains. Because the skin contains anthocyanin pigments, it has anti-aging health benefits and is also called "longevity rice." Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties and can help remove toxic chemicals and free radicals from the body; they have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby slowing down the inflammatory response; they can reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, inhibit the formation of tumors, prevent the spread of cancer cells and induce apoptosis of tumor cells; they can promote blood circulation, enhance the elasticity of collagen fibers in the blood vessel walls, make blood vessels strong, and thus prevent cardiovascular disease.

Purple rice also contains unsaturated fatty acids which are good for the body

In addition, purple rice also contains unsaturated fatty acids, and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids: monounsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids is 1.4:1.6:1, which is a suitable ratio. Unsaturated fatty acids have health value and are beneficial to the body. Among them, polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential fatty acids for the human body, and the stability of monounsaturated fatty acids is second only to saturated fatty acids, which are both healthy and practical.

The dietary fiber content of purple rice is 8 times that of white rice, which can promote intestinal peristalsis.

For patients with "three highs", purple rice can also make a big difference! Hong Ruopu said that the dietary fiber content of purple rice is 8 times that of refined white rice. Dietary fiber can increase satiety, promote intestinal peristalsis, and help prevent constipation. However, it should be noted that purple rice contains amylopectin, and like ordinary glutinous rice, eating too much can easily cause indigestion problems. People with poor gastrointestinal function will experience bloating if they eat too much. It is also a high GI food, so people who need to control blood sugar should not consume too much.

Purple rice also contains essential amino acids for the human body. Since purple rice has not been polished, the outer shell retains rich nutrients and fiber. It contains more protein, amino acids (for example, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, glutamic acid) and trace elements than white rice, which can prevent the incidence of heart disease, cancer, etc. In addition, purple rice is high in vitamin B1, which can strengthen the nervous system and alleviate the symptoms of beriberi. Purple rice also contains zinc, which is helpful for men's prostate.

Purple rice is also known as "blood-replenishing rice" and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and warming the liver, improving eyesight and activating blood circulation.

There are many benefits for women to eat purple rice. The Compendium of Materia Medica records: "Purple rice has the effects of nourishing yin and kidney, strengthening the spleen and warming the liver, improving eyesight and activating blood circulation." Therefore, purple rice is also called "blood-replenishing rice." In addition to the antioxidant effects of anthocyanins and their beauty benefits mentioned above, delaying aging is one of the important benefits of purple rice. It contains a variety of amino acids and minerals, and its content of trace elements selenium and zinc is relatively high. These substances can remove free radicals in the human body and reduce the occurrence of oxidative reactions. Regular consumption can delay aging and prolong life.

In addition, purple rice also contains vitamin B₁ (thiamine) and iron, which can improve women's anemia. Women can eat purple rice porridge after their menstrual period to improve blood deficiency. At the same time, purple rice has the effect of nourishing qi. People with cold stomachs can improve their condition by eating it appropriately.

Nutritionists teach you how to cook purple rice smartly to keep nutrients from being lost

There is a science to cooking purple rice so that the nutrients are not lost! Since the anthocyanin on the purple rice shell is a water-soluble pigment, it will fade after washing. Therefore, when soaking purple rice, it is best to steam the water used to soak the purple rice together with the purple rice, so that the nutrients will not be lost. If you want to cook purple rice directly, the cooking method is similar to cooking white rice. Soak it for about 2-3 hours, add an extra cup of water when cooking, and cook it in an electric cooker before eating.

The following is a recommended rice cooker dish [Purple Rice and Red Bean Porridge], which helps to replenish blood, remove moisture, and reduce edema.

★【Purple rice and red bean porridge】

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of red beans, half cup of purple rice, 800cc of water, 50g of brown sugar.

practice:

1. Wash and soak purple rice and red beans overnight, put them in an electric cooker and add 800 cc of water into the inner pot.

2. Add two cups of water to the outer pot. Open the pot, add brown sugar, stir evenly and then cover the pot. Add 1 cup of water in the outer pot and simmer.