Rainbow black rice salad provides a welcome antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-rich meal during the dark and cold winter months. Black rice is fiber-rich and aids with digestion, satiation, and glycemic control. The pigmentation that causes the rice to be black is anthocyanin, an antioxidant also found in blackberries and blueberries. Additionally, black rice is shown to be cardio protective by assisting with lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol.
The rainbow salad is also full of a variety of colorful antioxidant rich vegetables including edamame. Edamame, which is a soybean, is a protein-rich legume. The protein in soy is equal to that of meat and eggs as it contains all nine essential amino acids. Soybeans also contain calcium, iron, and potassium. Make sure your soybeans are organic, since a large percentage of soybean crops are genetically modified.
Fruits and vegetables from all parts of the color spectrum, whole grains, and legumes are considered anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory foods assist in reducing inflammation in the body caused by pro-inflammatory sources which can be environmental, dietary, or hereditary. Excessive inflammation over time can lead to cancer, advanced aging, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis.