# Carolina Gold Rice (Oryza sativa) **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/carolina-gold-rice **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-04-01 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Ancient Grains **Also Known As:** Oryza sativa, Carolina Gold, Lowcountry Gold Rice, American Gold Rice, South Carolina Gold Rice, Heirloom Carolina Rice, Golden Seed Rice ## Overview Carolina Gold Rice is a heritage variety of Oryza sativa with documented disease resistance genes including Xa21 and Pi-ta. This ancient grain provides standard rice nutritional components including starch, B vitamins, and trace minerals but lacks specific bioactive compounds or unique health mechanisms. ## Health Benefits • No clinically documented health benefits - research focuses exclusively on agricultural disease resistance • May provide general whole grain nutritional benefits typical of conventional rice (no specific evidence cited) • Disease resistance traits studied for crop improvement, not human health applications • No bioactive compounds or therapeutic properties identified in available research • Lacks clinical trials or human studies evaluating health outcomes ## Mechanism of Action Carolina Gold Rice contains standard rice nutritional components including amylose and amylopectin starches that provide glucose through alpha-amylase [digestion](/ingredients/condition/gut-health). The grain's disease resistance genes like Xa21 and Pi-ta function in plant pathogen defense but have no established role in human physiology. Nutritional effects occur through conventional carbohydrate [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) and B-vitamin cofactor functions. ## Clinical Summary No clinical trials have examined Carolina Gold Rice specifically for human health outcomes. Research focuses exclusively on agricultural applications, particularly disease resistance breeding programs. The variety's nutritional profile resembles conventional medium-grain rice varieties. Without dedicated human studies, health claims remain unsupported by clinical evidence. ## Nutritional Profile Carolina Gold Rice is a long-grain heritage rice with a nutritional profile broadly consistent with whole grain and milled rice varieties. As a whole grain (brown) form: approximately 76-78g carbohydrates per 100g dry weight, 7-8g protein per 100g (containing all essential amino acids but lysine-limited, as typical of rice), 2-3g fat per 100g (primarily oleic and linoleic fatty acids), and 3-4g dietary fiber per 100g. In milled (white) form, fiber drops to approximately 0.4-0.6g per 100g. Micronutrients in whole grain form include manganese (~1.8mg per 100g dry, ~90% DV), magnesium (~43mg per 100g), phosphorus (~264mg per 100g), selenium (~15mcg per 100g), niacin (B3, ~3mg per 100g), thiamine (B1, ~0.4mg per 100g), and zinc (~2mg per 100g). Milling significantly reduces B vitamins and minerals by 60-80%. Bioactive compounds in the bran layer include gamma-oryzanol (a ferulic acid ester mixture, ~200-500mg per 100g bran), tocotrienols and tocopherols (combined ~0.9-2mg per 100g whole grain), and phenolic acids including ferulic acid. Carolina Gold is specifically noted for its high amylose starch content (approximately 23-28%), which confers a lower glycemic response compared to waxy or medium-grain varieties and supports greater resistant starch formation upon cooking and cooling (~3-4g resistant starch per 100g cooked, cooled rice). Bioavailability note: phytic acid in whole grain form (~950mg per 100g) reduces mineral absorption by 20-50%; soaking and cooking partially mitigates this. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for Carolina Gold Rice. The ingredient has not been evaluated in human clinical studies with defined dosing protocols. As a traditional food grain, it would be consumed as whole rice in typical dietary amounts. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Carolina Gold Rice appears safe for consumption as a conventional food grain with no reported adverse effects. Standard rice precautions apply including potential arsenic content depending on growing conditions. No known drug interactions have been documented. The grain is naturally gluten-free but may trigger reactions in individuals with rice allergies. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses specific to Carolina Gold Rice as a therapeutic ingredient were identified. The available research focuses exclusively on its TAL effector-triggered resistance mechanisms against Xanthomonas oryzae bacterial pathogens in agricultural contexts. A separate trial (NCT07272993) exists for Golden Rice with Piper crocatum, but this involves a different genetically modified variety, not Carolina Gold. ## Historical & Cultural Context Carolina Gold Rice is an American heirloom variety with historical cultivation in the Lowcountry region, representing agricultural heritage and food culture. However, no traditional medicinal uses or historical applications in traditional medicine systems are documented in the available sources. ## Synergistic Combinations Other whole grains, traditional rice varieties, heirloom grains, dietary fiber sources ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What makes Carolina Gold Rice different from regular rice? Carolina Gold Rice is a heritage variety with specific disease resistance genes like Xa21 and Pi-ta that were developed for crop protection. It has a distinctive golden color and medium-grain texture but similar nutritional content to conventional rice varieties. ### Does Carolina Gold Rice have proven health benefits? No clinical studies have demonstrated specific health benefits for Carolina Gold Rice beyond those of conventional rice. Research focuses on agricultural disease resistance rather than human health applications. ### How much Carolina Gold Rice should you eat daily? No specific dosage recommendations exist for Carolina Gold Rice as it's consumed as a regular food grain. Standard rice serving sizes of 1/2 to 1 cup cooked rice apply based on individual dietary needs. ### Can Carolina Gold Rice help with diabetes? No evidence supports Carolina Gold Rice having unique anti-diabetic properties. Like other rice varieties, it has a high glycemic index and may raise blood glucose levels in diabetic individuals. ### Is Carolina Gold Rice safe during pregnancy? Carolina Gold Rice appears safe during pregnancy when consumed as part of a balanced diet, similar to other rice varieties. Pregnant women should ensure proper cooking and consider potential arsenic content as with all rice products. ### What foods contain Carolina Gold Rice, and is it widely available? Carolina Gold Rice is primarily available as a whole grain product for cooking at home rather than in processed foods, making it accessible mainly through specialty grocers, online retailers, and farmers markets. This heirloom variety is less common in mainstream supermarkets compared to conventional white or brown rice varieties. You can prepare it similarly to standard long-grain rice, though it may have slightly different cooking times due to its grain structure. ### How does Carolina Gold Rice compare nutritionally to brown rice or white rice? Carolina Gold Rice provides similar baseline nutritional profiles to conventional rice varieties as a whole grain, including carbohydrates, fiber, and B vitamins, though specific nutritional data comparing it directly to brown or white rice is limited in published literature. Like other whole grains, it may retain more nutrients than polished white rice, but differs from brown rice primarily in historical cultivation methods rather than nutritional composition. Individual nutritional values can vary based on growing conditions and processing methods used by different producers. ### Is Carolina Gold Rice suitable for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease? Yes, Carolina Gold Rice is naturally gluten-free, as it is a rice variety with no gluten content, making it a safe choice for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Rice in general is a staple carbohydrate source for gluten-free diets, and Carolina Gold Rice fits this category without any special processing requirements. However, always verify that commercial products have not been cross-contaminated during processing if you have severe gluten sensitivity. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*