11 Health Benefits of Wild Rice

Wild Rice possesses a wide range of health benefits. From being gluten free to having high fiber content, wild rice is rich in antioxidants necessary to protect the cells in your body. It may help to manage diabetes because of it’s low calorie content, it contains zinc which helps balance hormones in the body and help increase testosterone level in the body.

It folate content is a great support for pregnant women. It helps to prevent hypertension due to it’s low sodium content, It potassium content helps lower blood pressure while it’s phosphorus content helps in strengthening the bones.
 

Wild rice can be commonly termed as a ‘super food’.  The basis for this claim lies in its nutritional value and benefits. While the uncommon type of rice can’t be found at just any supermarket, the nutrients it provides as a whole are vital for our well being, which makes finding it all the more rewarding.
 

Gluten, a protein found in some grains is what gives a chewy texture to your food. This protein is indestructible and passes through the small intestine without being broken down. FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) are contained in high quantities in gluten grains. This causes bloating, cramps and even diarrhea. One cup of cooked wild rice contains fewer carbohydrates than its white counterparts. Weight loss will be a cinch with a diet that includes wild rice. Eating wild rice becomes a good option to avoid bloating caused by other foods.
 

Unlike white rice, wild rice contains notable amounts of fiber that helps digest food and enhance your metabolism. While preventing constipation is an obvious benefit – how exactly it leads to a healthy heart should not be overlooked. The high fiber content helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, preventing risks of developing atherosclerosis. This fiber can help lower your blood sugar levels by slowing down glucose absorption. Thus making wild rice diabetic-friendly. The high fiber in wild rice also makes it more filling, which helps with weight loss.
 

The sodium in our diets is what mainly contributes to high blood pressure. Hence it continues to be the leading cause of heart disease. High sodium is what causes the kidneys to retain more water in the body, causing high blood pressure and putting a strain on them. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure and it occurs due to the force of increased blood flow through your arteries. The low sodium content in wild rice prevents this as well as hypertension in the long term.
 

Antioxidants are what protect the cells in your body against the effects that are caused by free radicals. These antioxidants may prevent against the risk or various types of infections as well as heart disease. They slow down the aging process by eliminating free radicals that would otherwise be allowed to damage our cells. These include skin cells as well, which explains how antioxidants play a part in keeping your skin youthful.
 

Compared to the meager protein content in white rice, wild rice contains a significant amount of protein. This makes for it to be a healthy option for vegetarians. Protein starts off as a basic component of a cell and moves on to make complex structures as our hair and nails. Protein is essential as it helps repair your tissues  and build muscle. Alongside carbohydrates, proteins are considered to be a macro nutrient since the body requires it in large amounts.

Protein rich foods are also more filling than foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates since protein lowers the level of a hormone called ghrelin, which induces hunger. Protein also increases your metabolism rate as well as the number of calories you burn. A serving of wild rice would help in weight-loss diets as they allow you to feel full for longer and helps you avoid those late-night snacking.
 

Wild rice contains a fair amount of potassium, which is an important mineral for your body. Potassium serves a counter for the effects caused by sodium which are increased blood pressure. It helps in lowering high blood pressure and returning it to normal. Potassium also aids in regulating your heartbeat, thus helping those who have rhythmic problems. There is also a correlation between reduced cholesterol levels and foods that contain potassium.
 

Wild rice contains phosphorus, which is essential for many functions of our bodies. Phosphorus plays a vital role in maintaining bone strength. It helps in forming the mineral density of your bones, which strengthens your bones, preventing easy fractures. If our bodies lack sufficient phosphorus, calcium would be unable to maintain our bone structure and will not be able to build up effectively. Phosphorus is vital for kidney function as it helps the body detoxify itself. This is done by passing out harmful toxins whenever we urinate. Wild rice contains a healthy amount of phosphorus, which helps in our overall growth and development.
 

An important mineral in wild rice is magnesium. Magnesium rich foods in our diet are what allow the body to create energy because they activate Adenosine Triphosphate. This allows us to live our lives without letting fatigue take a toll on our bodies. Wild rice intake also increases performance in exercise because it is rich in magnesium. It helps move glucose into the tissue and gets rid of lactic acid, which causes fatigue when large amounts are accumulated in the muscles.
 

Folate is a vitamin in the B category and occurs naturally in wild rice, making it a good source of folate compared to synthetic folic acid. Folate is used in the body during cell division and growth so it is a vital nutrient for expecting mothers, who would require almost double the amount of folate in their diet. Folate deficiency is widely common and can cause birth defects in newborn children. Since a serving of wild rice can provide a good amount of the recommended value it can reduce the chances of birth defects.
 

Wild rice is a natural source of the mineral zinc and is more widely preferred than supplements. Zinc can be used a natural treatment for the common cold . It prevents the buildup of bacteria and mucus in the nasal passage. Female bodies require zinc to produce estrogen and progesterone. Zinc helps in balancing the levels of these hormones in the body. It also increases testosterone naturally. It also helps in balancing level of insulin and allows it to be stored in the pancreas to be used when glucose enters the blood.
 

Wild rice is low in calories compared to other rice and grains. This means you can enjoy the distinct, nutty flavor of wild rice without worrying about calories. Diabetics can enjoy the texture and taste of wild rice without worrying about calorie content. Since a bowl of cooked wild rice contains a little over a hundred calories, it’s safe to say it can make healthy meals tastier without adding to your waistline.