We have always greatly enjoyed while having puffed rice as chaat on Indian streets but never realised that it could also have some health benefits. Puffed rice is one of the staple foods in India, commonly called as murmura, muri, and parmal. One can endlessly munch upon puffed rice while binge-watching an OTT show. Moreover, its crunchy texture makes it a popular option for healthy snacks and it is a quick alternative if unexpected guests show up. In India, puffed rice is often offered as a prasad in religious places.
Rice is one of the essential crops in Asian countries and puffed rice is made from rice in the presence of high pressure, heat and steam. Various methods of puffing include hot air popping, dry heat, sand and salt treated, popping in hot oil, gun puffing and microwave heating. Let us discuss, some astonishing health benefits of eating puffed rice.1
The amount of nutrients present in 14g of puffed rice is given below:
| Nutritional Component | Value |
| Calories | 56 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0.1 g |
| Sodium | 0.4 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
| Calcium | 0.8 mg |
| Iron | 4.4 mg |
| Potassium | 16 mg |
USES :
It offers amazing benefits to help normalize blood pressure levels and prevent heart-related ailments. Stronger bones – Puffed rice benefits your bones with its richness of nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin D, and potassium that aid proper bone cell growth and regeneration.
- It may possess properties that can lower the blood pressure
- It may protect against cancer
- It may be effective for dysentery
- It may have antioxidant activity
- It may have properties to improve heart health