Today I’d like to introduce you to a new food: volcano rice. Haven’t heard of it? Don’t worry—a lot of people haven’t. But, thanks to the way it’s harvested, volcano rice benefits your health in numerous ways other rice simply can’t.
So, let’s learn more about what makes this rice so healthy and how to prepare it. (Hint: It’s just as easy as cooking white rice—but it’s so much better for you!)
What is Volcano Rice?
Volcano rice is West Java brown rice that’s grown in Indonesia in volcanic soil. And it’s the soil that provides the powerful volcano rice benefits you’re going to love.
When we think of volcanoes, we typically have visions of them erupting and watching videos of lava rivers. But you may be surprised to learn that volcanic soil is a very nutrient-rich soil that’s packed with antioxidants, lots of essential minerals, and flavor.
Volcano rice benefits are largely due to its high amounts of magnesium, manganese, and zinc. [1] In fact, one-half cup of volcano rice contains 120.9 mg of magnesium and 1.8 mg of zinc.
That same one-half cup also contains an amazing 9.1 g of protein, meaning it helps to support satiety as well as providing some much-needed nutritional value! [2]
Although volcano rice is planted and harvested slightly differently than brown and white rice, the cooking process is the same. That means you can substitute volcano rice anytime you plan to serve an ancient grain.
Volcano rice can be found at most health food stores, but if you have trouble locating it, you can also find it online.
Now that you know what volcano rice is, where to get it, and how to cook it, let’s talk about the top volcano rice benefits. After all, it’s important to know what you’re doing for your body with each bite of your food.
3 Volcano Rice Benefits
Here are a few of the top volcano rice benefits you should know about.
1. Supports magnesium sufficiency
One of the most important volcano rice benefits for your health is the fact that it supports magnesium sufficiency due to its high magnesium content.
Why is that important? Well, it’s estimated that 60 percent of Americans are deficient in this essential mineral.
And that’s a problem because magnesium deficiency is linked to developing high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, asthma, migraines, and more! [3, 4, 5, 6]
How does it impact all of these areas? Well, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, and it’s responsible for a lot of your daily bodily functions.
It keeps your heart beating steady, maintains regular muscle contraction, breaks down your food into glucose for energy, and assures you are firing nerves appropriately.
Magnesium also produces cellular energy for your body to build tissues as well as breakdown and eliminate toxins.
There are ongoing studies on the many benefits of magnesium, with some researchers finding that consuming this mineral can even serve as a complementary therapy for depression and other mental health disorders! [7]
2. Supports immune health
Eating volcano rice benefits your health by providing zinc to your body.
As you may recall, zinc is a trace mineral that your body needs in order to function properly. It not only supports cellular repair and eye health, but it’s also been known to help resolve diarrhea and even support fertility.
But perhaps the most well-known benefit of zinc is its incredible impact on your immune system. Numerous studies have shown that zinc supports the immune system and can even help to shorten the duration and severity of cold symptoms!
In fact, a 2011 study revealed that zinc consumption reduced the duration of a cold by up to 42 percent. [8]
Moreover, the authors of a 2017 scientific review on zinc, stated that it “can be considered as a gatekeeper of the immune system.” [9]
Now, it’s important to note that you won’t get all the zinc you need each day simply from eating volcano rice. That said, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) ranges anywhere from 8 to 11 mg, though that amount can vary depending on your current health state and history.
By incorporating zinc-rich foods into your diet on a regular basis, you’ll reap the many health benefits of this powerful mineral.
3. Supports proper brain function
I know you’re likely wondering how eating volcano rice benefits your brain. Allow me to explain ….
The third mineral you’ll find in high amounts in volcano rice is manganese. In fact, one-half cup of volcano rice delivers 100 percent of the RDA of manganese! [10]
Here’s why that matters: Your body requires adequate amounts of manganese for proper brain function. So, without enough manganese, your brain simply can’t function at its optimal levels. Scary, right?
Manganese has been shown to bind to certain neurotransmitters, which is known to improve brain function. And studies have shown that a deficiency can increase your risk of epileptic seizures, brain dysfunction, and even neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease! [11]
Because manganese is a trace mineral like zinc, you don’t need much of it. In fact, the RDA is 1.8 mg for adult women is 1.8 mg and 2.3 mg for men. So, you can eat your volcano rice with the confidence that you’ve likely met your manganese requirements for the day!
Key Takeaways
- Volcano rice is West Java brown rice that’s grown in Indonesia in nutrient-rich volcanic soil.
- Volcano rice benefits are largely due to its high amounts of magnesium, manganese, and zinc.
- You can find volcano rice at most health food stores, and the cooking process is the same as for brown rice.
- A few of the top volcano rice benefits include: supporting magnesium deficiency, supporting immune health, and supporting proper brain function.
