Arsenic in rice: non-toxic, but increases the risk of cancer

Arsenic is one of the most poisonous elements in the world. Maybe it's still fresh in your memory about the case of Munir's death, a human rights fighter who was poisoned by arsenic on a flight to Amsterdam in 2004. And recently, a number of studies have detected high doses of arsenic in rice - the staple food of a million people. Oops!

What is the effect of arsenic on the body?

Arsenic is an elemental carcinogen, and chronic exposure to high doses of arsenic is associated with an increased risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In addition, arsenic is toxic to nerve cells and can affect brain function. In children and adolescents, arsenic exposure has been associated with impaired concentration, learning and memory; it also reduces intelligence and social competence.

U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum limit for arsenic in drinking water, which is 10 ppb. However, no limit has been established for arsenic in food and drink. Studies show that 100 grams of rice (half a serving) is equivalent to drinking 1 liter of plain water which contains the maximum amount of arsenic allowed by the EPA.

Why is there arsenic in rice?

Not many know that we actually consume arsenic almost every day. Arsenic is found in rice and wheat products, vegetables and fruits, and even seafood. This is because arsenic is a naturally occurring element of iron in the earth's crust, which is also present in water, air and soil. Volcanic eruptions produce arsenic. This toxic element of iron is also produced from human activities, including mining and smelting ore, burning coal, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

And because arsenic is literally all around us, it can be absorbed by plants as they grow regardless of whether they are grown in traditional or organic agriculture. Arsenic is not a substance that is intentionally added to food sources, and cannot be completely eliminated from food. Arsenic in its purest form is odorless, colorless and tasteless.

Rice is a food source rich in inorganic arsenic, the most toxic type of arsenic. Rice contains about 10 to 20 times the higher arsenic dose than other wheat and grain crops. Rice absorbs arsenic more easily than other agricultural products because it is grown in waterlogged land conditions. In many areas, agricultural irrigation water is heavily contaminated by arsenic. This makes the arsenic content in the soil more concentrated, so that it is more easily absorbed into the grain.

Using contaminated water to wash and cook rice is another risk factor for the arsenic content in rice. Rice grains can also easily absorb arsenic from boiling water when the rice is cooked.

Is the arsenic content in rice dangerous?

It is not clear how dangerous the arsenic in rice is to human health. Although high doses of arsenic are very toxic, to have a lethal effect, arsenic must be consumed at least two grams directly.

On the other hand, the health risks of arsenic poisoning may be of particular concern for those who eat large amounts of rice every day - especially for people in Asia who make rice their staple food source. This is because the effects of arsenic are dose dependent: the more you take, the higher your risk.

However, until now the Food and Drug Administration in the United States (FDA), has not recommended that people who are worried to flock to replace their daily consumption of rice or rice.

"Data collection and other ongoing assessments will provide a solid scientific basis for determining what actions and / or steps are needed to reduce arsenic exposure in rice and rice products," the agency said, quoted by Live Strong.

Meanwhile, researchers are much more concerned about the impact of arsenic in rice on children and babies. This age group may be at a higher risk of exposure to arsenic hazards because their body systems are still in the developmental stage. We know that low doses of arsenic in children have an impact on the development of the immune system, impaired growth and development, and impaired IQ development.

A healthy way of cooking rice to reduce arsenic levels in rice

The FDA and the United States consumer agency, Consumer Reports, recommend eating a balanced diet that contains a variety of other grains - especially if you eat more than two or three servings of rice per week. Wheat and oats, for example, are known to have lower arsenic levels than rice rice.

And if we have investigated, it turns out that the way we cook rice can more or less determine the arsenic level in rice. Andy Meharg, professor of biological sciences at Queens University in Belfast, tested three ways of cooking rice to see if different cooking methods had an effect on arsenic levels in rice.

First, Meharg uses the most conventional method of cooking rice: a 2: 1 dose of water and rice - as almost everyone has done so far. He discovered that it was this method that left the most traces of arsenic in rice. In contrast, the second method involves washing and rinsing the rice, then draining the water thoroughly until it is dry. Meharg then uses a 5: 1 ratio of water to rice to cook the rice. This method cuts arsenic levels by almost half.

The last method was the one that was found to be the safest: it drastically reduced the arsenic level in rice by up to 80 percent. The trick, soak the rice overnight first. The next morning, wash and rinse thoroughly, then drain the water until it is completely dry. To cook rice, use a water-to-rice ratio of 5 to one.