Chinese black chicken is the new white meat that guarantees a 'healthier life'

Published on 13/09/2006 01:27

BLACK chicken was unveiled as a new form of "super-food" yesterday, after researchers found that the traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine has high levels of a natural anti-oxidant.

Black-bone silky fowl, which have black skin, meat and bones but snow-white feathers, have been used as a "folk invigorant" in China for 1,000 years. Now Chinese food scientists have confirmed they contain high levels of a substance called carnosine. This is a powerful anti-oxidant and is taken in supplement form in the West to improve muscle strength and alleviate the effects of ageing, autism and diabetes.

Chicken is known as a source of carnosine, but it was found that black-bone silky fowl had twice as much of the substance as ordinary breeds.

Dr Ying-gang Tian, of the food chemistry department at NanChang University, said: "The taste of black-bone silky fowl is usually better than other kinds of chicken, but its unusual colour makes some people hesitate to eat it."

• NEW evidence of the benefits of green tea was revealed yesterday in a study showing that those who regularly drink the brew can reduce the risk of heart disease by 26 per cent.