[unsoed.ac.id, Tue, 04/03/25] Black rice, often referred to as a “superfood,” is increasingly popular among health lovers. Besides having a distinctive flavor and a denser texture, black rice is also rich in nutrients, especially antioxidant content that is beneficial for the body.
Black rice contains anthocyanin pigments, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals. Free radicals are known to damage body cells and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
According to Prof. Suprayogi, antioxidants in black rice have various benefits, including slowing down premature aging, improving heart health, maintaining the digestive system, strengthening the immune system, and helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Even so, the optimal benefits of black rice must still be supported by a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Although it has many health benefits, further research is still needed to evaluate its nutritional quality, antioxidant content, and impact when consumed in the long term. At Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (Unsoed), specific research on the feasibility of black rice consumption is still being explored.
Currently, the price of black rice tends to be higher than that of regular rice. This is due to the more complex cultivation process and limited yield. However, with the increasing demand and development of black rice cultivation in Indonesia, the price is expected to become more affordable as local production increases.
“If the agricultural sector develops further, and there is cooperation between farmers and the government in promoting this commodity, it is not impossible for the price of black rice to become more competitive and accessible to the wider community. That way, black rice can be accepted as part of a healthy and nutritious diet,” Prof. Yogi said.
As part of further exploration, Unsoed has successfully grown black rice in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. This step is done to monitor plant growth and evaluate factors that affect crop yields. Hopefully, this research can produce more efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation techniques, thereby increasing productivity and reducing production costs.
With the development of black rice research and cultivation in Indonesia, the opportunity for black rice to become an important part of people’s healthy diets is increasingly wide open. In the future, black rice will not only be an option for those who care about their health, but also has the potential to support the local agricultural economy.