View

Search

Brown Rice with Cumin

September 6, 2016

Rice (including brown rice) is one of the most used foods today in almost every cuisine. Spices like cumin enhance the taste of rice. It turns out that this combination is very healthy too.

Health benefits of cumin

People have been using cumin for more than three millennia and it seems that there is more than one good reason for this practice. For example, cumin supports the appetite and stimulates the digestive system. In traditional Indian medicine, cumin is used as a cleansing agent that can help the digestive system get rid of toxins. Another interesting fact about cumin is that it has the ability to soothe the unpleasant feeling and pain caused by bloating, flatulence and indigestion.

Even breastfeeding mothers can benefit from cumin because experts have confirmed that it boosts milk production. Cumin can be used both externally too: it is praised for its soothing effects in itching and rashes.

Cumin provides strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which is why it improves memory and boosts concentration. According to some studies, cumin can slow down the advance of Alzheimer’s disease and even prevent it. It is rich in vitamin E and B vitamins, which make it great for the overall mental health.

Finally, cumin is a rich source of melatonin and helps people improve the quality of their sleep. Of course, these are just some of the health benefits of cumin.

Using brown rice vs white rice

Is brown rice better than white rice? Some people pick brown eggs thinking that they are healthier than the white eggs, which is not true! But is it true that brown rice is more nutritious than the white rice? I think most of you already know that the answer is yes, unlike in the case of eggs.

The external coating of brown rice is rich in minerals and proteins. In addition, many experts recommend brown rice because it is a good source of fiber and some important nutrients like zinc, manganese, and magnesium. When you strip the rice and produce white rice, you effectively take out the needed fiber and minerals as magnesium and zinc. Brown rice is whole food. White rice is not. White rice will have a higher glycemic impact on the blood glucose, since it has been stripped of fiber too. Brown rice will keep your blood sugar steady and will keep you feeling full longer. It is especially beneficial for hypercholesterolemia, diarrhea (in the form of congee), frequent and excessive urination, thirst, diabetes, spontaneous sweating, and mental depression, the latter due to concentrated B vitamins. According to Paul Pitchford, the author of Healing with Whole Foods, a handful of raw brown rice chewed thoroughly as the only food in the first meal of the day helps expel worms!
Naturally, always opt for brown rice if you have a chance.

Purchasing organic dill

The recipe we have mentioned also includes organic dill. This aromatic annual herb that belongs to the parsley family also comes with many different benefits for our health. It can help people suffering from insomnia, it can improve the work of the digestive system, help people dealing with diarrhea, respiratory problems, and hiccups. In order to get the most from dill, I highly recommend that you purchase organic dill or grow it in season. Dill weed is one of my green super heroes, although grossly forgotten in our American kitchens!!!

Enjoy this simple recipe! Looking for more recipes with functional nutrition benefits? We have many more on the recipe blog here!

**To learn how to get rid of arsenic in rice, read more here.