Black glutinous rice is black when uncooked. After cooking, the color becomes purplish. The black color of black sticky rice is a sign that this food contains anthocyanins in abundance. Anthocyanins are antioxidant pigments, which are also found in eggplant 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 no less.

Various benefits of black sticky rice for health, including:

One of the health benefits of black sticky rice is its effect in helping to strengthen the human immune system. In fact, according to research from a university, black sticky rice has a better ability than brown rice for this.

The ability of black sticky rice may 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 anthocyanin content in black sticky rice. In fact, the anthocyanin content, which is an antioxidant, is higher in black sticky rice than in blueberries.

It turns out that 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 anthocyanin content in black sticky rice plays an important role. Antioxidants are predicted to play a role in reducing levels of bad cholesterol or LDL, thus contributing to the fight against heart disease.

In addition, antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Anthocyanins as antioxidants are known to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. However, the discovery of the anticancer properties of this substance still requires further research.

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

Black sticky rice also contains iron which is needed for the formation of red blood cells. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia.

Therefore, consuming black sticky rice is believed to reduce the risk of developing anemia due to iron deficiency. However, this still needs to be studied further.

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.

Apparently, the color pigments in black sticky rice can be used as natural dyes 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 dyes.

Several 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 only theoretical and still need to be proven through further clinical research. However, there is nothing wrong with including black sticky rice in the daily diet, considering that it contains various important nutrients.