Black rice could be a 'superfood'

The cereal is low in sugar but packed with healthy fibre and plant compounds that combat heart disease and cancer.

Centuries ago it was known as "Forbidden Rice" in ancient China because only nobles were allowed to eat it.

Today black rice is mainly used in Asia for food decoration, noodles, sushi and deserts.

Food scientist Dr Zhimin Xu, from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, in the United States, said: "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. If berries are used to boost health, why not black rice and black rice bran?"

Bran is the outer coating of a cereal grain that is often removed in processing. Dr Xu said it could be added to other foods.

The findings of Dr Xu's research team were presented yesterday at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.