Black rice, which can be crushed into a bran, is sometimes known as "Forbidden Rice" because in ancient China nobles commandeered every grain for themselves and forbade the common people from eating it.
"Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fibre and vitamin E antioxidants," said Dr Zhimin Xu at the Louisiana State University.
"If berries are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice bran? Especially, black rice bran would be a unique and economical material to increase consumption of health promoting antioxidants."
Like fruits, "black rice" is rich in anthocyanin antioxidants, substances that show promise for fighting heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
Food manufacturers could potentially use black rice bran or the bran extracts to boost the health value of breakfast cereals, beverages, cakes, cookies, and other foods.
Dr Xu, who reported her findings at the American Chemical Society conference in Boston, said that farmers are interested in commercially growing black rice which would make it even more cost effective.
With thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews
