Lesser known variety of rice that is grown out of a dried bamboo shoot when they are at the last stage is bamboo rice or moongil arisi. Otherwise called Mulayari, bamboo rice is green in colour and tiny shaped like rice when harvested. Truth is that bamboo rice tastes a little sweet like wheat. Gluten free bamboo rice when cooked becomes moist and sticky. The surprising piece of information is that bamboo rice has got more nutritional value when compared to rice and wheat.
Bamboo rice or dried bamboo seeds are rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, nicotinic acid plus in riboflavin, vitamin B1, bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids etc. In addition to these, bamboo rice has also got linoleic acid and palmitic acids that are antioxidants.
Various health benefits of consuming bamboo rice are
Improves fertility:
It is believed that intake of bamboo rice could result in changes in chromosomal levels. The fertility would get better. It is possible to treat endocrine as well as metabolic disorders by using bamboo oil extracted from bamboo seeds. Fact is that endocrine and metabolic disorders could lead to infertility in women.
Prevents diabetes:
Linoleic acid is a potent antioxidant that is available in bamboo rice. It is known that PCOS could induce glucose intolerance and would increase diabetes risk. It is possible to improve the ovulatory functions in women with PCOS and diabetes could be avoided.
Good for bone health:
Chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are mainly caused by inflammation. This disease causes issues to bones and joints. It is said that the presence of a number of bioactive compounds in bamboo rice such as flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides that are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Joint pain, rheumatoid and back pain could get controlled. Bone health would improve.
Reduces cholesterol levels:
The high fibre content plus phytosterols present in bamboo rice would reduce bad cholesterol in us by blocking their adsorption.
Blood pressure gets controlled:
The blood pressure or BP in us would be due to hormonal issues and high cholesterol levels. The antioxidant activity of bamboo rice would treat endocrine disorders. The fibres present in bamboo rice would reduce the cholesterol levels. By this, thickening of the arteries would get reduced and BP would get controlled.
Mood booster:
It must be taken into note that by intake of bamboo rice our mood would get boosted as it would release 2 neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These would help in boosting the mood and brain functions would get better.
Treats cough and sore throats:
Cough and sore throats are common respiratory symptoms and the presence of phosphorus in bamboo rice would help a person to get relief from these issues. It must be noted that phosphorus could also help to relieve symptoms of chronic asthma also.