Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in New Delhi today. In his address PM Modi gave the example of natural farming and said the positive results of promoting chemical-free natural farming on a large scale can be seen in the country. He also mentioned a big focus on sustainable and climate-resilient farming in this year's budget as well as developing a complete ecosystem to support India’s farmers.
Highlighting the government’s emphasis on research and development related to climate-resilient crops, PM Modi informed that nearly nineteen hundred new climate-resilient varieties have been handed to the farmers in the last 10 years.
PM Modi gave examples of rice varieties in India that require 25 percent less water than traditional varieties and the emergence of black rice as a super food. “Black rice from Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya is the preferred choice due to its medicinal value”, he said, adding that India is equally eager to share its related experiences with the world community.
How much do you know about black rice, which PM Modi referred to as super food? It has amazing health benefits due to which it is called super food.
Black rice is a rare and ancient variety of rice that has been growing in India for centuries. Black rice is indigenous to West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Manipur. Till now, Manipur is the highest producer of black rice in the North East. In ancient India, it was apparently reserved for the Emperor and nobles and was out of reach of the commoners. Now know about its health benefits:
Good source of several nutrients
Compared with other types of rice, black rice is one of the highest in protein.
Per 100 grams, black rice contains 9 grams of protein, compared with 7 grams for brown rice.
It’s also a good source of iron — a mineral that’s essential for carrying oxygen throughout your body.
Black rice is a good source of several nutrients, particularly protein, fiber, and iron.
Rich in antioxidants
In addition to being a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, black rice is especially high in several antioxidants.
Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells against oxidative stress caused by molecules known as free radicals and thus protect us from many diseases including including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and certain forms of cancer.
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.
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.
Research shows that anthocyanins have strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
Furthermore, eating foods high in anthocyanins may help protect against several chronic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, and some forms of cancer.
Adding black rice to your diet can be an easy way to incorporate more disease-protecting antioxidants into your diet.
Research shows that black rice contains over 23 types of antioxidants and has the highest antioxidant activity of all rice varieties.
May boost heart health
Many of the antioxidants of black rice have been shown to help protect against heart disease.
May have anti-cancer properties
Anthocyanins from black rice may also have potent anti-cancer properties.
A review of population based studies found that higher intake of anthocyanin-rich foods was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
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.
These compounds work as antioxidants to help protect your eyes from potentially damaging free radicals.
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.
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.
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.
Other potential benefits
Black rice may also offer other potential benefits, including lower blood sugar levels and lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Easy to cook and prepare
Cooking black rice is easy and similar to cooking other forms of rice.
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