Health Benefits of Mexican Rice

There are already hundreds of different rice dishes that were created and served in many countries around the world, but there are only a few that are as delicious and as special as Mexican rice. This dish has been for many years, and its longevity is a testament to how tasty it is. Besides its taste, Mexican rice is also quite nutritious, and it could even be said that it is one of the healthiest rice dishes. To know more, here are some details about Mexican rice and its health benefits.

What is Mexican Rice?

Before we get into the benefits of eating Mexican rice, let us first discuss what exactly this dish is. Mexican rice is a staple side dish in Mexico that is made from white rice that is mixed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and different kinds of herbs and spices. The tomatoes mixed with the rice give the dish its signature red color. If you want to know How To Make Easy Mexican Rice | Mahatma® Rice, you can already find plenty of recipes online because of how popular this dish is.

While it is an original Mexican dish, Mexican rice is called “Spanish rice” in the United States, even though it did not come from Spain. On the other hand, the tomato and rice dish has already been done in Iran way before Mexican rice became popular. Historians believed that this cooking tradition started during the rule of the Qajar dynasty in Iran from 1789 to 1925. It is unknown how and when Mexican rice was invented or if it had any connection to the Iranian dish at all.

Benefits of Eating Mexican Rice

Mexican rice with tacos

Because of the mixing of different natural ingredients to make Mexican rice, the dish is considered one of the healthiest rice dishes out of all. Here are the health benefits of eating Mexican rice.

Has Plenty of Carbohydrates

The main nutrient that you can get from any type of rice is carbohydrates, which are needed by our body for fuel and energy. Carbohydrate is one of the three macronutrients that our body needs to survive, with the other two macronutrients being protein and fats. In addition to giving energy, carbohydrates are also responsible for storing energy and saving the other macronutrients for other uses.

A Great Source of Fiber

Fiber is an interesting type of carbohydrate that is primarily consumed to normalize a person’s bowel movement. If you have an upset stomach, some people would recommend that you eat foods that are rich in fiber so that the digestive waste that makes your stomach upset will be flushed down efficiently. In addition to promoting normal bowel movement, fiber is also beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

Has B Vitamins

Mexican rice is a good source of B vitamins, particularly thiamin, niacin, and folate. Thiamin is particularly helpful in improving your body’s ability to transform carbohydrates into useful energy, while niacin is consumed to improve blood fat levels, which can increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. Meanwhile, folate is utilized by our body to create healthier red blood cells. With these B vitamins alone, Mexican rice is already very healthy to eat, but there is a lot more that this dish can offer.

Good Source of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is arguably one of the most important nutrients that our body should have, as it is a key for us to be healthier and less prone to getting illnesses. Ascorbic acid, which is an alternate name for vitamin C, is essential for repairing and developing every tissue in our body, including the tissues that make up our immune system. So, with the help of vitamin C, our body will be strengthened, thus giving it a better fighting chance against viruses and bacteria that can cause mild to severe diseases.

Gives Your Body Plenty of Minerals

Mexican rice can also give your body plenty of minerals, particularly iron, calcium, and potassium. Iron is specifically useful for the development of healthy red blood cells, calcium is beneficial for having stronger bones, and potassium can help in regulating normal heartbeat and maintaining the proper function of nerves and muscles. These minerals are very advantageous to consume for your body, so it is recommended to eat foods rich in these minerals every day. Luckily, Mexican rice already has all of these minerals and more.

So, there you have it, some information about Mexican rice and its many health benefits. As previously mentioned, there are only dozens of different Mexican rice recipes that you can find online, so you wouldn’t really have trouble finding the perfect recipe for the dish if you ever want to try and cook it. Try cooking this delicious Mexican and see if it could become one of your favorite dishes.