In addition to being the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes, rice has many health benefits. Eating rice helps the nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Learn how to cook rice the right way.
Do you know the best way to eat rice?
It is one of the most important and common dishes in international gastronomy and is an excellent side dish.
The origin, although there is some debate, points to the Asian territories, especially China. Rice is also the second most cultivated grain on the planet, after corn.
Different types of rice
The grocery store usually has a limited selection of different types of rice, but there are actually a large number of different varieties that offer different options in the kitchen. Some examples:
Long-grain rice
Long-grain rice is perhaps the most common variety. It is eaten a lot in countries such as India, the USA, and China.
Round grain rice
This type of rice, which is sometimes called “Bomba”, is quite popular in European cooking. It is the perfect rice for making Spanish paella.
Sushi rice
This is also round-grain rice, but this variety has a special niche, which is why it is usually called sushi rice.
Instant rice
So we also have rice that is pre-boiled and is the rice that is often used on an industrial level.
The benefits of eating rice
Rice is one of the most important carbohydrate-rich foods. Carbohydrates give the body the fuel it needs to be as productive as possible during the day. In other words, carbohydrates are the energy source that the body needs to perform activities that require physical effort.
Rice also contains vitamins B3, B6, and B9. B3 helps the body repair DNA, as well as cleanse and remove toxins from the body. B6 counteracts dryness and anemia, and also strengthens the cells.
Vitamin B9 is directly linked to the development of the nervous system and ensures that the body has enough fuel and prevents fatigue. Thanks to its composition, it is also free of cholesterol.
An inflammation-reducing food
We should preferably eat unhusked rice because the husk is a diuretic.
People with various stomach problems benefit greatly from diuretic foods. Unhusked rice is soothing to the stomach because it is very high in fiber. It can help the body eliminate excess fluid thanks to its high starch content.
It is a resistant starch that can effectively help the intestinal flora and the colon. This allows the body to burn fat faster.
Boiled rice is a perfect side dish for the intestines as it prevents diarrhea.
Eating rice has benefits for the heart
There are many different recommended foods that are good to include in diet plans aimed at lowering blood pressure. Rice is one of them.
Because it is low in sodium, rice can help the body maintain good blood circulation and lower blood pressure. It also reduces stress levels, which is good for the heart.
Rice bran oil is one of the products extracted from rice. This oil is unrefined form has antioxidant properties that strengthen the cardiovascular system.
It has benefits for the skin
Rice bran oil also has an important and powerful effect on the skin.
For example, rice bran oil is a common alternative to cod liver oil in Asia. The oil increases collagen production and prevents early wrinkles. Rice bran oil also gives the skin good protection against the sun’s rays.
Rice and cancer
Although it once seemed like a myth, today it is supported by scientific studies: one should wash the rice properly before eating it, to avoid getting cancer.
If you cook it the wrong way, the industrial pesticides used to speed up and increase the production of rice can remain in the rice. The result is this crippling disease.
Its arsenic content can lead to various diseases and ailments, which is why you should cook rice in water.
How to cook rice
The basic principle of how to cook rice is simple: two parts water for every part of rice.
It is easiest to measure the quantities with a measuring set or a glass.
There are many recipes that contain rice, and below we will tell you how to cook spinach rice – a tasty and healthy dish.
Spinach
Ingredients
- 2.5 dl rice (250 g)
- A bunch of steamed spinach (250 g)
- 6 tablespoons of cream cheese (100 g)
Cooking
First, rinse the rice by pouring it into the pot and pouring into water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the water becomes cloudy. Then pour off the water. Repeat the procedure until the water is no longer cloudy.