What is red yeast rice?
Red yeast rice is a traditional Chinese preparation of boiled, white rice, which is fermented by the mold Monascus purpureus. In the fermentation numerous substances, some of which cause intense eponymous red color form. Dried and ground it is known as red rice flour (Chinese Hong Qu).
Originally served red fermented rice only as food, red rice flour was used for dyeing of meat and meat dishes like Peking duck, and it should also have a preservative effect.
Not later than the 16th century onwards, rice and corn flour as a remedy input in traditional Chinese medicine to treat heart problems (Li Shizhen: Book of Healing Herbs). According to Chinese studies since the 1990s, red rice flour to be effective at elevated blood lipid levels and high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes indirect positive effects. To be caused these effects primarily through the present in red fermented rice Monaco Line by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is necessary for the body's production of cholesterol.
According to the list of EU approved health claims on foods following is allowed: "Monacolin K red mold rice to maintain a normal cholesterol level in the blood is." "Conditions for the use of the indication" the following is referred to as: "providing may be used only for food, whose eating provides a daily intake of 10 mg of Monacolin K in red mold rice. Is permitted, consumers are to teach, that is the positive effect of a daily intake of 10 mg of Monacolin K in red mold rice preparations."