Is red rice healthier than white rice? The quick answer is yes. Red rice is more nutritious than white rice. Red rice still has its bran layer that contains nutrients such as dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. But what makes it healthier?
White rice is considered a processed food. The milling process turns brown rice into white rice. Milling removes the rice grain's outer layers (bran and germ). Removal of the bran and germ results in the loss of certain nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
The milling process gives white rice its characteristic appearance and texture. But it reduces its nutritional content compared to brown rice's less processed counterpart.
Is red rice healthier than white rice?
This table will help you to decide which is healthier.
Approximate Nutritional Value of 100 Grams of Cooked Rice
Nutrition | White Rice | Red Rice |
Calories | 130 kcal | 110-130 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 28 grams | 23-25 grams |
Protein | 2.7 grams | 2-3 grams |
Dietary Fiber | less than 1 gram | 1-2 grams |
Fat | less than 1 gram | Less than 1 gram |
Vitamins and Minerals | Small amounts of B vitamins, especially thiamine (vitamin B1). | B vitamins (such as B1, B2, B3), iron, magnesium, and phosphorus |
What is red rice?
Red rice is a type of rice that has a distinctive reddish-brown colour. The colour is in the outer bran layer with pigments such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are natural antioxidants. Anthocyanins are found in some fruits, vegetables, and grains. They are responsible for certain plant-based foods' red, purple, or blue hues.
There are different varieties of red rice. Nutritional content and flavour may vary among them. Some popular varieties of red rice include Bhutanese red rice, Thai red rice, and Camargue red rice from France.
Red rice can be cooked in the same way as you would regular rice. I like to cook mine in my rice cooker. I add half a cup of extra water as I like tender rice. Play around with the quantity of water and time needed to cook as there are multiple varieties of red rice.
What does red rice taste like?
The bran on red rice gives red rice a nuttier, earthier, and sweet flavour than white rice. The texture is firmer and chewier when compared to white rice. These are general statements, as there will be variations depending on the type of red rice you have cooked.
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