10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Matta Rice

Does rice only ever strike you as an overload of unhealthy carbohydrates? Are you tired of having to find exotic new substitutes and meals to keep up your diet? Worry no more! Rustic and jam-packed with nutrition, we have narrowed down the healthiest kind of rice for you. It is Matta rice we are talking about! It is often referred to as Kerala red rice and has been a fundamental part of South Indian cooking for hundreds of years. This traditional grain is not only flavorful but also loaded with vital nutrients that promote overall health. Here we discuss Matta rice benefits in detail.

Know Your Ingredient: Matta Rice

What Is It?
Matta Rice is an indigenous rice variety cultivated in black soil in parts of Kerala.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may help in diabetes management, is a great source of calcium and vitamins, promotes digestive health, and reduces elevated blood pressure.

Who Can Consume It?
It is safe to consume for everyone including people with diabetes.

How Often?
It can be consumed daily in moderation.

Caution
Avoid if you have gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and gas.

Matta Rice – A Brief:

Matta Rice, also known as Rosematta rice, Palakkadan Matta rice, Kerala Red rice. Kerala rice, or Red Parboiled rice, is locally sourced from the Palakkad region of Kerala, India. Used in a wide variety of foods, Matta rice can be had as plain rice, or be used to make idlis, appams and snacks like murukku and kondattam.

Grown in the dense black cotton soil in parts of Kerala and Karnataka, these yellowish red grains of rice possess their own unique flavour and taste. Not just that, it possesses a fine earthy flavour that makes it a great accompaniment to lamb, beef and other game meats. What’s more, we give you ten health benefits to truly convince you to include Matta rice in your next meal!

Trivia

It is believed that matta rice was commonly consumed by the royal family members of the Chola and Chera dynasties. They preferred the rice due to its unique and rich flavor.

Top Matta Rice Benefits

Check out here some of the best matta rice health benefits.

1. Is Nutrient Rich

Other than its unique taste, the red pericarp of this rice variety has a high content of nutrients.

Pericarp is the healthy outer coat of the rice grain. More often than not, polished rice varieties tend to lose this valuable layer when they are ground out to appear shiny and clean. Matta rice or Kerala red rice, however, retains this outer coat for all its natural goodness. With increased quantities of minerals, vitamins, fibre and more, Matta rice goes for gold with its contribution to a healthier diet.

2. Is Gluten-Free

The gluten-free nature of Matta rice promotes digestive health.

Par-boiling this rice further aids in retaining the nutrition, so you can rest easy knowing that your last meal was not just full of carbohydrates. Opt to take the unpolished variant of Matta rice, so that you don’t miss out on the incredible benefits hidden in the outer coating of these rice grains.

3. Is Best Source Of Magnesium

Matta Rice is also a great source of magnesium.

Magnesium is an important macro-mineral required every day for good health. It is used in several enzymatic reactions in your body, and its deficiency can lead to multiple health conditions.

Half a cup of Matta rice has close to 42 g of magnesium From aiding in nerve signal transmission to preventing heart disease and osteoporosis, Magnesium is a vital component for staying healthy!

4. Reduces Risk Of Certain Diseases

Consuming whole Matta rice grains can significantly lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers (1) . Due to the lower content of fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, Matta rice is heart friendly, keeping those important blood vessels clear of clogs and clots.

5. Decreases Risk Of Diabetes

One of the best matta rice benefits includes managing Type 2 Diabetes effectively (2). Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses today, affecting vast populations across the world, including children. Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes can cause debilitating morbidity in nearly every body organ system, affecting and impairing the quality of life.

Whole grain Matta rice may aid in blood sugar management. It has been shown to help reduce the risk and incidence of diabetes in its consumers. Due to its high magnesium and calcium content, especially in its pericarp, Matta rice protects from developing insulin resistance, and enhances optimum glucose uptake, ensuring that you stay healthy and free from disease.

6. Supports Weight Management

Most useful in the midst of today’s age of fast food mania and refined foods, Matta rice meets your daily fiber requirement to help your digestion. Rich in fiber, it keeps your digestive system running smoothly (3). Rich in fiber, Matta rice will help you process it! Not just that, its high fiber content will leave you feeling fuller even when you eat less. This means that you’re eating just the right amount of your daily calorie intake. Just what you were looking for to help you lose weight!

Quick Tip

A hundred grams of matta rice or red rice contains 11.1 g of fiber, which is more than white and brown rice varieties (3).

7. Slows Absorption Of Carbohydrates

The high fiber content also enhances its anti-diabetic properties, by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates.

This helps control the blood sugar rush that usually accompanies a high-sugar, low-fiber meal.

8. Is A Source Of Vitamins A And B

Besides magnesium, Matta rice also adds other vitamins and minerals to your diet. Its nutrient-rich coat contains generous amounts of Vitamin A, and some forms of Vitamin B. These are extremely important for maintaining many systems of your body and living healthy.

9. Reduces Elevated Blood Pressure

With its high fiber content and low glycemic index, red Matta rice can indirectly help you reduce your blood pressure! One of the reasons for hypertension is the tendency to eat too much. Matta rice helps you stay fit by giving you a sense of early fullness, so you can manage and to an extent even control your hypertension!

10. Is A Great Source Of Calcium

The higher content of calcium in this rice also makes it healthier than the conventional white rice that most people favor. This white rice has usually lost most of its essential nutrition during the polishing process. Calcium is essential in all ages and stages of life.

From playing a vital role in growth during childhood to being a crucial component in muscle health and function, calcium also keeps your bones and teeth strong and healthy. Especially crucial for women post-menopause, Matta rice complements your diet with a good dose of calcium, protecting you from painful and cumbersome diseases such as Osteoporosis and weakened bones (5).

Matta rice offers important benefits. However, it is often compared with brown rice. Which of the two is better? Learn more in the next section.

Matta Rice Vs. Brown Rice

Both brown and matta rice variants primarily provide carbohydrates and preserve vital nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and fiber. While brown rice may stabilize blood sugar levels after a meal, red rice may improve insulin sensitivity and help reduce weight (6).

Some brown rice health benefits can be attributed to its rich selenium content, which may combat free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer. Both variants are also rich in magnesium that may help regulate blood pressure (7). Hence, what you want to choose depends on your current health status and personal preferences.

Some people prefer white rice for its rich iron content. However, compared to brown and red rice, white rice does not offer the same nutritional benefits. Here is a nutritional comparison table to help you understand the differences better (3) (8) (9).

Infographic: Top Health Benefits Of Matta Rice

Matta rice has a distinct earthy flavor, which makes it different from other rice varieties. Also, it is known for its coarseness and rich nutritional profile. This healthiest rice type has an array of health benefits one can look for in meals. Check out the infographic below to learn about the top health benefits of matta rice.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can matta rice be used in place of white rice in recipes?

Yes, matta rice can be used in place of white rice in recipes. However, keep in mind that it may require longer cooking times and more water.

Is Matta rice better than white rice?

Yes. Matta rice is a richer source of protein and dietary fiber than white rice (3), (8).

Is Matta rice better than brown rice?

No. While both rice varieties have a similar nutritional profile, brown rice has a slightly higher protein, dietary fiber, and mineral content (9).

Is Matta rice gluten-free?

Yes. All varieties of rice are naturally gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and contain high amounts of digestible carbohydrates that are good for gluten-sensitive individuals (10).

Now that you know all the benefits of Matta rice, stay stress-free knowing that every meal you make, you can look forward to not only enjoying its unique and colorful flavors, but also staying fit and healthy with each bite!

Illustration: Remarkable Matta Rice Benefits You Must Know

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to de-starch and cook Kerala Matta rice for weight loss with the video given below. Also, discover the health benefits of these delicious and nutritious rice varieties. Watch it now!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Shivani SikriPG Diploma in Dietetics & Public Health Nutrition

     

Shivani Sikri is the founder and chief nutritionist at Nutri4Verve and has more than 10 years of experience. She recommends a well-balanced, holistic lifestyle modification approach, based on combinations, metabolism, and genetic and medical requirements of her clients.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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