Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient that cancer patients who need to build strength must consume. However, eating excessive amounts of highly refined carbohydrates can increase the risk of obesity. Obesity is a factor that raises the risk of cancer, so it should be avoided. Today, we will share ways for cancer patients to consume carbohydrates healthily.

Carbohydrate foods rich in dietary fiber

The best way to consume carbohydrates healthily is to eat multigrain rice instead of white rice. According to a research team from Seoul National University College of Medicine, women who ate a lot of white rice and little multigrain rice had a 35% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who did not. Multigrains contain two to three times more vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber than white rice. These nutrients help with cancer prevention. Multigrains are also rich in plant compounds such as polyphenols and saponins, which have antioxidant effects.

But the main reason for recommending mixed grains is undoubtedly dietary fiber. Dietary fiber, known as the "seventh nutrient," increases the volume of waste, reduces the absorption of carcinogens in the body, and protects against cancer. It also regulates the speed at which sugars are absorbed into the body after meals, helping to prevent obesity. Take a look at the dietary fiber (fiber content) found in representative mixed grains.

Mix five kinds of grains.

When cooking multigrain rice, it is best to use only five or fewer types of grains. Using too many varieties can actually reduce the nutritional benefits and make digestion more difficult. In fact, a research team from Korea Wuseok University analyzed the nutritional components of mixed multigrain rice with 5, 8, 16, 17, 20, and 25 grains, and found that the protein and mineral content was highest with five grains. The antioxidant polyphenol effects were also the most excellent. Try cooking rice with a blend of five types: rice, millet, barley, sorghum, and black beans!

If you have difficulty digesting, use mostly white rice and only a little mixed grains. If the ratio of white rice to other grains is about 7 to 3, there is no major problem with digestion.

Rice water with green tea

Try using green tea as the water for cooking rice. It makes the rice's antioxidant nutrients more abundant than when using plain water. According to a paper published in the Korean Journal of Food and Nutrition Science, when rice was cooked with green tea water (including 3g of green tea powder) based on 200g of white rice, the polyphenol content, an antioxidant component, increased by 40 times compared to when cooked with regular tap water. Polyphenols are highly effective in preventing damage to DNA, proteins, and other molecules caused by active oxygen in the body, providing excellent anticancer effects.

It is also good to finely chop burdock and cook it with rice in a rice cooker. The zinc in burdock enhances the activity of antioxidant components. The sticky part of burdock, lignin, helps eliminate carcinogens in the body, which is beneficial for cancer patients. It is also rich in dietary fiber. It is best to cut it as thin as possible before adding.

Sometimes, try adding beets rich in betaine, which emit a reddish glow. They have antioxidant properties. Simply peel the beets, chop them finely, and add them when cooking rice. Adding beets to the rice not only enhances the color but also helps revive a lost appetite.

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Green tea, burdock, beet in rice water.

I haven't tried putting it in.

These days, I do add turmeric powder.

Red rice must be pretty too, right?

Beautifully colored rice

I guess I should try making it once.