Wild Rice Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Wild Rice Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Wild Rice Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Nutrition Facts Whole Grains Wild Rice Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits By Lacey Muinos Lacey Muinos Lacey Muinos is a professional writer who specializes in fitness, nutrition, and health. Learn about our editorial process Published on July 13, 2021 Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Wild Rice Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Allergies Adverse Effects Varieties How to Prepare Contrary to the name, wild rice is not actually a type of rice at all. It is the seed of semi-aquatic grass with an edible grain. While most types of rice and other grains grow in Asian and European countries, wild rice is native to North America and grows across waterways in the United States. Compared to white and brown rice, wild rice has longer grains, a firmer texture, and a nuttier and earthier flavor. This grass-grain-hybrid is a nutritious food that is associated with many health benefits. Wild Rice Nutrition Facts The nutritional content of wild rice depends on whether it is cooked or raw, as well as the serving size. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked wild rice. Calories: 101Fat: 0.3gSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 21.3gFiber: 1.8gSugars: 0.73gProtein: 4g Carbs A 3.5-ounce serving of cooked wild rice contains 21.3 grams of carbohydrates. Only 0.73 grams of its total carb content is made up of sugars. The carb content also contains 1.8 grams of fiber, which has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, increased longevity, and reduced risk of colorectal carcinoma. The glycemic index of wild rice is 53, making wild rice a low glycemic index food. Choosing foods with a lower glycemic index may be helpful in managing diabetes. Fats With just 0.3 grams per serving, wild rice is a low-fat food that is naturally cholesterol-free. This may be a suitable choice for those following a low-fat diet. However, it is not a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Protein Wild rice contains approximately 4 grams of protein per serving. This may not sound like a lot, but it can be part of a protein-dense meal when paired with other protein sources like lean meat and legumes. The USDA Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025 recommends between 46 and 56 grams per day for adults, so a serving of wild rice provides less than 15 percent of your daily protein requirements. Vitamins and Minerals Wild rice is not a significant source of vitamins but it is packed with minerals. A serving of wild rice contains 82 milligrams of phosphorus, 32 milligrams of magnesium, and 1.34 milligrams of zinc. Calories Each 3.5-ounce serving of cooked wild rice contains just 101 calories. The USDA Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025 recommends between 1,600 and 2,400 calories per day for adults. Health Benefits The nutritional profile of wild rice may aid in disease prevention. May Support Heart Health Wild rice is an excellent source of whole grains, which have long been shown to have heart health benefits. Generally, a diet rich in whole grains correlates to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Wild rice can also help lower LDL cholesterol, helping to prevent a buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries known as atherogenesis. May Help Manage Diabetes Wild rice contains Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), an antioxidant and naturally occurring compound. It has been shown to help manage several diseases, including diabetes. A diet rich in whole grains may also help prevent diabetes. May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Carcinoma A diet rich in fiber has been shown to help reduce the risk of colorectal carcinoma and other cancers in the colon. More studies are needed to confirm the link between wild rice consumption and reduced risk of colon cancers, however. Allergies An allergy to wild rice is uncommon, but it is possible since it contains protein. Wild rice crops are naturally free of other allergens, such as gluten and dairy, though cross-contamination may occur when the wild rice is manufactured on shared equipment. Adverse Effects Wild rice is generally considered safe for human consumption. However, researchers have found heavy metals in some samples of wild rice. Moderately elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic have been found in some wild rice crops. Varieties There are many varieties of wild rice. The four main wild rice varieties include: Zizania aquatic, Zizania palustris, Zizania texana, and Zizania latifolia. Three of these varieties are native to North America and are cultivated as a grain, while the other is native to Asia and is cultivated as a vegetable. You may also see wild rice blends on grocery store shelves. This is because wild rice is expensive, so it is often blended with other types of rice or quinoa. How to Prepare Though it’s not a type of rice, wild rice is grouped with other grains because it cooks like rice and can be used as a substitute for rice. Wild rice is made by bringing the wild rice and water to a boil on the stovetop and letting it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Since it has a firm, crunchy texture, it may take a long time to fully cook through. Once cooked, wild rice can be used in salads, pilafs, soups, and other side dishes. It’s also commonly used in casseroles and as part of a stuffing for various meats. 10 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. USDA FoodData Central. Wild rice, cooked. Barber TM, Kabisch S, Pfeiffer AFH, Weickert MO. The health benefits of dietary fibre. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3209. doi:10.3390/nu12103209 Zhang H, Liu Y, Zhao J, Zhai U. [Determination of the glycemic index of the wild rice and the effects of wild rice on insulin resistance in rats]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2015;44(2):173-178, 184. Ojo O, Ojo OO, Adebowale F, Wang X-H. The effect of dietary glycaemic index on glycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2018;10(3):373. doi:10.3390/nu10030373 USDA. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Tang G, Wang D, Long J, Yang F, Si L. Meta-analysis of the association between whole grain intake and coronary heart disease risk. Am J Cardiol. 2015;115(5):625-629. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2014.12.015 Golbidi S, Badran M, Laher I. Diabetes and alpha lipoic acid. Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:69. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2014.12.015 Belobrajdic DP, Bird AR. The potential role of phytochemicals in wholegrain cereals for the prevention of type-2 diabetes. Nutr J. 2013;12:62. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-62 Yum HY, Lee KE, Choi SY, et al. Wild rice, hypoallergenic rice--immunologic comparison. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2006;27(4):387-392. doi:10.2500/aap.2006.27.2876 Nriagu JO, Lin T-S. Trace metals in wild rice sold in the United States. Science of The Total Environment. 1995;172(2-3):223-228. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(95)04809-X By Lacey Muinos Lacey Muinos is a professional writer who specializes in fitness, nutrition, and health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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