Is Black Rice Bad For You?
Short answer
Black rice is not bad for you. In fact, it is extremely wholesome and filled with antioxidants and other nutrients that keep your brain, liver and heart healthy.
Recommended Alternative
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Black rice, or forbidden rice, is a dark purple nutty flavored rice that offers a ton of health benefits, more so than any other type of rice. It was used in ancient China to keep the kidney, liver and stomach healthy and because it is so rich in nutrients, it was reserved for only royalty and wealthy giving it the name “forbidden rice.”
One cup of black rice contains 160 calories and only 34 grams of carbohydrates, and in that there is also 2 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein and 4% of the RDA of iron. When compared to brown rice, which is generally recognized as the healthy rice option, black rice contains less overall calories and carbohydrates while giving an increased amount of protein and fiber.
Aside from these nutrients, black rice boasts a ton of antioxidant benefits. With its dark purple pigmented color, it specifically contains the flavonoid anthocyanin which acts as a powerful antioxidant. Anthocyanin is widely known for its immune boosting properties and ability to reduce the risk of various diseases including heart disease. High blood pressure, colds, and urinary tract infections have also been treated effectively with anthocyanin-rich foods. Anthocyanin further offers anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-cancer effects. Research shows that anthocyanin can delay mental aging and the decrease of mental capacity by reducing oxidative stress on the brain.
The fiber content in black rice also plays a great role in heart health. Fiber helps to metabolize cholesterol and prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries that forms atherosclerosis and leads to a future heart attack or stroke. This increased metabolism of fats also helps prevent the development of fatty liver disease. Antioxidants also benefit the liver. Since fiber is filling and generally decreases the likelihood of overeating by making you feel satisfied earlier in your meal, weight loss is another possible benefit of eating black rice. Lastly, black rice can be helpful in preventing and managing diabetes by cleaning the blood and slowing sugar absorption.
Benefits
- boosts immune system
-
delay mental aging
-
anti-inflammatory
-
antiviral
-
anti-cancer
-
minimizes risk of heart disease
-
may minimize cold and urinary tract infections
-
promotes liver health
-
promotes weight loss
-
prevent/manage diabetes
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Fresh Code Black Rice
- Organic Superfood
- Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free
- Packed with nutrients
- Imported from Italy
Learn More!
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 09-08-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 09-08-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Approved by 
