Rice: useful properties and contraindications

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Among which nations are the most centenarians? Different sources give different statistics. One way or another, but the first places often go to Japan and Korea, China goes with some margin. A reasonable question arises: what do they eat? And the most obvious answer: Fig.

Of course, besides it, their diet contains a large amount of fish and seafood, as well as vegetables. So it is impossible to attribute such a miraculous role to this cereal. Still, rice is he althy.

A bit of history

Worth a few words about the history of rice. For many centuries it has been known in Russia as "Saracenic millet". Muslim peoples were called Saracens in Russia. In the recipes for the royal table already in the 16th-17th centuries, this cereal is mentioned, but it did not receive distribution among the people. In the 19th century, rice was also an ingredient in French and Italian delicacies that were popularamong nobles and intellectuals. But in Soviet times, it became a truly popular product.

Benefits of rice

Rice is a dietary product. And there are many reasons for this. The he alth benefits of rice are varied. It contains many minerals and vitamins of group B. The latter play an important role in the functioning of the nervous system and in metabolism.

This cereal contains complex carbohydrates. What does this mean? Carbohydrates are simple and complex. Simple are absorbed into the blood very quickly, this process begins already in the mouth under the action of saliva. Sugar instantly enters the bloodstream, causing insulin to be released. Some carbohydrates are converted into glycogen - the energy reserve in the muscles and liver, and some goes into fat. After that, the blood sugar level drops, and the body takes this as a signal of hunger. Sweets and flour products are rich in simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates work differently: slowly but surely. They break down much longer, but they give a long-term feeling of satiety, do not cause a sharp increase in blood sugar and saturate with energy for a long time.

All this makes rice an excellent remedy for excess weight. In addition, it is low in sodium and high in potassium, which only enhances the beneficial properties of rice that improve the figure.

Cereal is also distinguished by the fact that it practically does not cause allergies. Thanks to this fact and its beneficial properties, rice has taken a firm place among the first foods in a child's diet. From 6 months it can be used as a porridge for complementary foods. It is also important that there is almost no gluten in rice. babiesat this age, they still cannot digest this protein, so gluten-free cereals are chosen for complementary foods - buckwheat, corn and, of course, rice. Often she comes first on this list. For the same reason, rice is on the menu for people with gluten intolerance.

In addition, rice is a product that is necessarily part of the diet for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The enveloping properties of rice are useful for gastritis, stomach ulcers, and high acidity. Interestingly, the cereal benefits both diarrhea and constipation. The difference lies in which rice to use and how to cook it. For diarrhea, rice water or thickly boiled rice is recommended, for constipation - whole brown, which is rich in fiber and stimulates peristalsis.

What is rice like? They classify it according to different criteria.

Types of rice by grain shape

Long grain rice is easily recognizable by its appearance. It, as the name implies, has narrow and long grains. This rice is suitable for side dishes for meat, for pilaf. Its distinguishing feature is that it absorbs little water and does not stick together.

Medium grain rice is suitable for risotto, paella, soups and porridges. It contains more starch and absorbs more liquid. It is slightly stickier than long grain, but still does not stick together and does not turn into a homogeneous mass.

Round grain rice is ideal for making sweet dishes such as puddings and milk porridges. In addition, it is used in the preparation of sushi. This is due to its stickiness. It is also considered suitable for children.supply.

Types of rice by processing method

Brown (unpolished) rice. It undergoes minimal processing, which preserves its bran shell. It gives the product a slight nutty flavor. The preserved shell contains useful substances, such as fiber, B vitamins, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, and copper. In other types of cereals, they are contained in much smaller quantities. This makes brown rice a he althier food. It boils for about half an hour. It has a shorter shelf life than other species.

White (polished) rice is pure white. It is cleared of all shells, as a result of which it loses most of the nutrients. But you can’t call it a useless product either. It does not lose either the beneficial properties of complex carbohydrates or the ability to envelop the stomach. This cereal is affordable and has a long shelf life. It cooks quickly, about 15 minutes.

Steamed rice has a yellowish tinge. A special steam treatment technology allows you to transfer useful substances from the shell to the grain itself. About 80% of vitamins and minerals are preserved. It is cooked for about 20-25 minutes and after cooking it acquires the usual white color. Usually does not stick together after boiling and has a richer flavor than polished.

Contraindications

Rice has both beneficial properties and contraindications. First of all, we are talking about white polished rice. After all, most of this product is carbohydrates. Therefore, its use should be reduced for diabetics. Can such a rice show and excessivefixing effect, which can provoke not only constipation, but also hemorrhoids. In such cases, the amount of rice in the food should also not be too large.

Other types, such as brown, will be more useful in such situations, although you don’t need to get too carried away with them either. In addition, there will be people who are allergic to the most hypoallergenic product. For some, it also happens in Fig. Such people do not need to eat it at all. And what do nutritionists say about the beneficial properties and contraindications of rice? Reviews of experts say that the consumption of any product must be approached wisely. Each of the types is useful, you just need to first familiarize yourself with the properties inherent in each of them.

Indian sea rice

And now it's time to talk about the exotic. The so-called Indian sea rice is gaining more and more popularity today. The title is intriguing. How can rice be sea? It is worth mentioning right away that this miracle product has the same relation to rice as a guinea pig to the sea and a pig. By the way, the word "marine" in this case appeared in the same way as in the case of the guinea pig - from the shortened word "overseas". This product does not grow in the sea. It has the most resemblance to kombucha.

Who are you, Mr X?

So what is it - a plant, a mushroom, maybe even an animal? No, it's zooglea. This is the name of the mucous substances that are formed during the vital activity of bacteria. So sea rice is not an organism, but a whole “dormitory” of bacteria and microorganisms coexisting in symbiosis. He came to Russia from India in the XIXcentury, and therefore nicknamed Indian. Meanwhile, it has been known since ancient times in different countries. For example, in ancient Rome it was called "posca", and in Mexico - "tibi". From the latter came its scientific name tibicos.

Indian sea rice consists of translucent grains. It reminds both strongly boiled rice, and large granules of s alt, only soft.

Use of sea rice

Useful properties of this product are quite wide and varied. It lowers blood sugar levels, improves immunity, promotes the death of microbes that affect the respiratory tract. Due to its beneficial properties, Indian sea rice has found application in cosmetology. It is considered a skin cleanser, nourishing with vitamins and minerals.

How to make sea rice infusion

Healing drink is obtained from the liquid medium in which this translucent "pet" will live. To create a nutrient solution for it, you need 10-15 raisins per liter of water (if there are no raisins, other dried fruits will do), 3 tablespoons of sugar and 4 tablespoons of sea rice. Sugar must be dissolved in water in advance - the contact of sweet grains with a fungus poses a danger to the latter. Sea rice should be washed before use. All this should be stored in a clean jar covered with gauze. The jar needs to be kept in the light.

The time for which the infusion will be ready depends on the temperature, so two days are usually enough in summer, and three in winter. The most favorable temperature for this heat-loving guest from India is from 25degrees. If the room is too cold, no infusion will form and the fungus will stop growing. In this case, you can put the jar near the stove or kettle. So the beneficial properties of Indian rice will quickly be transferred to the drink.

Benefits and harms

It has sea rice and useful properties, and contraindications, like any folk remedy. For example, in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, unfortunately, it can do more harm than good. It is also unsafe during the exacerbation of certain diseases.

Many consumers leave their feedback about sea rice. Useful properties and contraindications of the drink obtained from it are of interest to many. So, people say that they felt its benefits on themselves to the fullest. Some notice an improvement in the condition of the skin - acne disappears, which have been unsuccessfully treated for many years with various means. By the way, the infusion of sea rice is also suitable for external use. They can wash your nose with a runny nose, rinse your hair. The beneficial effect on the hair, according to reviews, becomes noticeable almost immediately - they become silky, soft and stay clean longer. When applied internally, some allegedly lose weight. In addition, the drink has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system and normalizes sleep. However, you should not drink it right before going to bed - it has diuretic properties.

However, this sour drink, similar to kvass, is not suitable for everyone. People note that at the very beginning of use, the product cancause indigestion, diarrhea, nausea. As a rule, this state is temporary, it is the body's adaptation to new substances and bacteria. But if such a reaction is strong, it is better to stop such experiments. Sea rice may not be suitable for hypotensive patients. Doctors explain this by the fact that it reduces the already low pressure, which leads to lethargy, dizziness. But with hypertension, such properties will only provide benefits.