Description and characteristics of the rice mushroom. Calorie content, chemical composition, benefits and harms to the body, Cultivation, care, methods of consumption and application.
Rice mushroom or zooglea is a jelly-like body formed during the active life of acetic acid bacteria synthesizing organic acids, alcohols, and a vitamin-enzyme complex from sugar, which is used to prepare various drinks and infusions. Structure - granules stuck together in one piece, reminiscent of rice grains; color - white, matte, translucent; consistency - soft, slimy; the taste is sour; smell - like sour milk. The most commonly used names are: Tibetan or Chinese rice mushroom, sea rice, Indian or Japanese, tibikos, chibi.
What is Rice Mushroom?
Pictured rice mushroom
Zooglea, the bacteria on the basis of which sea rice is grown, have a mucous capsule-shell containing nitrogenous compounds and polysaccharides. To increase the activity of microorganisms, a nutrient medium is needed - a sweet solution (water with a fast carbohydrate, sugar). The colony of microorganisms is growing rapidly. The division of bacteria stimulates the release of carbon dioxide, lactic acid and alcoholic (acetic acid) fermentation occurs.
Granule bodies can be of different sizes - 6-35 mm. Small and large rice mushrooms do not differ in properties, but when making a drink, you need to take into account some features of the compositions. When zoogleys with small granules are used for starter culture, the drink can be consumed after 2 days. Microorganisms begin to divide immediately after being placed in a jar with a nutrient medium, actively releasing carbonic acid. The liquid acquires a yellowish tint and a harsh taste, reminiscent of kvass.
Larger formations begin to divide later, fermentation is slow. To taste the drink, you need to wait 3-4 days. The taste is also different - it is softer, with a fruity tint.
It was not possible to accurately calculate the calorie content of the rice mushroom, but according to the results of various studies, it was established that the product can be classified as dietary. Even with a high sugar content in the nutrient medium, the value does not exceed 80 kcal.
The calorie content of the drink with rice mushroom is 20-40 kcal
In the process of vital activity, zoogley produce calcium, zinc, iron, iodine, chlorine, vitamin D, tocopherol, nicotinic acid, a complex of B vitamins - thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, folic and nicotinic acid.
As part of the rice mushroom:
- lipase - is responsible for lipid metabolism;
- coenzyme Q10, which has an antioxidant effect;
- amylase, which breaks down starch;
- tannins - have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties;
- polysaccharides - remove toxins;
- fatty resinous substances of antimicrobial and antiseptic action.
In addition, rice mushroom contains a small amount of aldehydes and alkaloids that affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems, yeast that support the intestinal flora, and acetic acid bacteria.
Useful properties of rice mushroom
Sea rice has gained wide popularity due to its numerous medicinal properties, which have been adequately appreciated not only by traditional medicine, but also by official medicine.
The benefits of a rice mushroom drink
- Strengthens the immune system, suppresses the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms of various etiologies - fungi, viruses, bacteria.
- It removes toxins and accumulated toxins from the body, helps the liver to cope with decay products during the processing of alcohol and medicines.
- Lowers blood pressure and has a calming effect.
- Normalizes fat metabolism and stimulates the dissolution of cholesterol deposited in the lumen of blood vessels.
- Accelerates metabolic processes at the cellular level, which contributes to weight loss.
- Prevents headaches, improves sleep quality, and normalizes heart rate.
- It has a diuretic effect, removes calculi and salts from the kidneys. Soothes irritated kidneys with pyelonephritis, relieving pain.
- It normalizes the acidity of gastric juice and restores the integrity of the mucous membrane lining the digestive organs.
- Has an antioxidant effect, inhibits malignancy and the production of atypical cells.
- Has anti-aging effect, improves the quality of skin and hair.
- Prevents the development of ischemic disease, heart attack, stroke.
- It has mucolytic and expectorant effects.
Due to the beneficial properties of the rice mushroom, its infusions are recommended to be introduced into the diet in case of exacerbation of arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism, in order to get rid of meteorological dependence, to restore the state in case of hormonal disorders. The effectiveness of using sea rice for dental diseases - caries, periodontal disease and periodontitis has been proven. It is recommended for patients with chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines, a tendency to increased flatulence, frequent attacks of enterocolitis and colitis, with exacerbations of cholecystitis.
Rice mushroom drink accelerates recovery from colds, prevents complications from acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections.
External use of sea rice promotes the healing of purulent-inflammatory formations - boils, phlegmons, trophic ulcers. It can be used to treat acne, stomatitis and tonsillitis.
