by KYW’s medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

We know that antioxidants help fight heart disease and certain forms of cancer but many foods that contain antioxidants are quite expensive—like blueberries and strawberries. Louisiana researchers recommend a cheap alternative: black rice.

A spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber as well as vitamin e antioxidants. Brown rice is far more common than black rice but black rice bran could be used to boost the health benefits of breakfast cereals, cakes, cookies and other foods.