Black rice is a sticky kind of rice grown primarily in Southeast and East Asia. Once cooked, it actually is dark purple in color. According to Chinese history, black rice was once called forbidden rice because the penalty for stealing this dark colored rice was death. Black rice is high in fiber and iron, but low in fat. It also provides a good amount of protein. However it's "forbidden" qualities may be due to its high antioxidant content. Anthocyanin, a type of antioxidant, is found abundantly in black rice. Anthocyanin has been shown to enhance brain function and memory, and prevent age-related cognitive decline. It also is involved in the prevention of cancer cell growth and protection from free radicals in heart tissue. Black rice is easy to prepare and can be eaten in the same place you would normally eat brown or white rice. If you want some cool ways to cook black rice, here are some recipes you can try yourself to incorporate more of it in your diet. Don't look now, but black rice may be the new brown. Eat up and enjoy!