Bamboo rice, also known as bamboo seeds, is a rare and lesser-known variety of rice rapidly gaining popularity due to its excellent nutrient profile, distinct taste, and health benefits. It is a type of rice cultivated from the dying shoot of the bamboo plant.
It is different from other types of rice in that it has a much higher protein content, contains essential amino acids, and is gluten-free. Additionally, it has a pleasant nutty flavour and a chewy texture.
It is popular in many parts of Asia and is starting to gain popularity in other parts of the world as well.
However, many people are still unaware of bamboo rice. As a result, In this post, I will be sharing 8 benefits of bamboo rice that everyone should be aware of.
But first, let’s take a look at its nutritional value.
Also read: 16 Delightful Types of Rice in India You’ll Love To Eat
Nutrition value of bamboo rice
A one cup(128 gram) serving of bamboo rice provides:
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 3 gram
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Fat: 0
- Sugar: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34 gram
- Phosphorus: 18 mg
- Potassium: 80 mg
Like other rice varieties, bamboo rice has high-calorie content. A single cup serving contains 160 calories. Although it is not a high-fiber food, it has more fibre than white rice and is a superior alternative.
Bamboo rice is also richer than white and brown rice in terms of protein. So, if you want to bulk up your muscles, bamboo rice might be the way to go.
Furthermore, bamboo rice is rich in carbohydrates and is fat-free.
8 Benefits of bamboo rice
Good for diabetics
People with diabetes often have to watch what they eat to control their blood sugar levels.
Despite its high carbohydrate content, bamboo rice has a low glycemic index of 20, making it suitable for people with diabetes. This value is significantly lower than that of white rice.
Foods with a low glycemic index digest more slowly and do not raise blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, it’s a better alternative than rice varieties such as white.
Good source of antioxidants
Like other rice varieties, Bamboo rice is a good source of antioxidants for your body.
For those who don’t know, antioxidants are molecules that protect your body cells against pollution, UV rays from the sun, extreme temperatures, and radiations.
The antioxidants linoleic and palmitic acid are abundant in bamboo rice.
According to studies, palmitic acid has numerous advantages, including promoting skin health, having anti-inflammatory properties, and enhancing metabolic health.
However, too much of this acid has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in studies.
As a result, eating bamboo rice in moderation is the best approach to reap its benefits.
Boost Immunity
Bamboo rice is a good source of nutrients like protein, vitamin B6, and minerals like potassium and phosphorus. These all nutrients helps to improve your overall health and boost immunity.
Reduces inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection, injury, or irritation. It helps the body heal and fights off infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic(long-term), it can lead to a number of health problems.
Bamboo rice is an excellent approach to lower inflammation and promotes overall health.
It contains a lot of bioactive compounds like alkaloids and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory qualities and help the body reduce inflammation.
This is why many doctors recommend eating bamboo rice to treat joint and back pain.
Detoxify the body
It is critical to remove toxins from your body in order to be healthy. Toxins are compounds that can harm the body. They can be chemicals, pollutants, or byproducts of the body’s normal functions.
According to Ayurveda, bamboo rice helps treat Kapha and pitta dosha and remove toxic elements from the body through urine and curing illnesses.
Control cholesterol
Bamboo rice is a high source of antioxidants that provide several heart health benefits, such as reducing the risk of stroke and lowering bad cholesterol.
This is great news for people who want to lower their cholesterol levels without having to make significant changes to their diet. Just replace your regular white rice with bamboo rice.
Good for brain health
Bamboo rice is a good source of vitamin B6, which as per studies, may play a role in improving brain function. Also, eating bamboo rice has mood regulating properties as it boosts the production of serotonin and dopamine(happy hormone), which may further improve your brain functioning.
Gluten-free
There are many reasons to love bamboo rice, but one of those major reasons is gluten-free. For people who have gluten sensitivities, eating bamboo rice is a great way to enjoy rice’s benefits without feeling sick or bloated afterwards.
Final words
The bamboo rice variant is one of the healthy rice variants your can consume.
However, it isn’t easy to find, but there are a lot of benefits to adding bamboo rice to your diet.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, bamboo rice is a great option.
Give it a try and see how you feel!
FAQs about bamboo rice
Some sources claim that consuming bamboo rice raw and uncooked may lead to food poisoning. Therefore, it’s recommended to eat it after cooking.
No, you can eat bamboo rice if you are on a keto diet as bamboo rice is high in carbohydrates, and a keto diet includes low-carb food.
Bamboo rice is short-grain rice with a bamboo juice infusion.
The bamboo chlorophyll gives this rice its cool green colour.
Bamboo rice is a low-fat food that may help promote weight loss and prevent obesity.
