Arsenic in rice: If you mean?

Arsenic is one of the most toxic elements in the world.

Throughout history it was to infiltrate the food chain and made their way into our food.

However, this problem is getting worse.

Widespread pollution raises levels of arsenic in the food that a serious health risk.

High concentrations of arsenic have recently studies identified rice ^[1] .

This is a big problem, because rice is a staple food for much of the world's population.

Should you be worried? To search.

What is arsenic?

Arsenic ^[2] , it is a toxic trace element, marked with the symbol below.

Typically, you are on your own. Rather, it relates to other elements in the chemical compounds.

These compounds can be roughly divided into two categories ( 1 ):

1. Organic arsenic: found primarily in plant and animal tissues.
2. Inorganic arsenic: found in rocks and soil or dissolved in water. This is the toxic form.

Both forms occur naturally in the environment, but their levels were higher due to contamination.

For a variety of reasons, the rice can be a significant amount of (toxic mold) inorganic arsenic accumulate environment.

Conclusion: Arsenic is a toxic element that occurs naturally in our environment. It is in two groups, the organic and inorganic arsenic is divided inorganic arsenic more toxic.

Food sources of arsenic

Arsenic is present in almost all foods ^[3] found and drinks, but is usually only in small quantities.

However, relatively large amounts are found:

• Millions of people around the world into contact with water containing large amounts of inorganic arsenic Drinking: Contaminated drinking water. This is in South and Asia (often Latin 2 , 3 ).
• Seafood: Fish, shrimp, shellfish and other seafood, considerable amounts of organic arsenic, contain less toxic form. However, certain types of shellfish and algae also contain inorganic arsenic ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).
• Rice and rice-based foods: Rice accumulates more arsenic than other food crops. In fact, it is the sole source of nutrition higher inorganic arsenic which the toxic form (is 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ).

High concentrations of inorganic arsenic in many rice products, as has been recognized:

• Rice milk ( 11 ).
• Rice bran ( 12 , 13 ).
• Breakfast cereals made ​​of rice (made 13 ).
• Rice cereal ^[4] (rice baby) ( 14 , 15 ).
• Rice cakes ( 13 ).
• Rice syrup ^[5] ( 16 ).
• Granola bars and rice / or brown rice syrup.

Bottom Line: Seafood contains arsenic, but mostly organic. Rice and rice products may contain high concentrations of inorganic (most toxic).

Why is arsenic in rice?

Arsenic occurs naturally in water, soil and stones, but the higher levels in some areas than others.

It's easy to enter the food chain and in large quantities in animals and plants, some of which are consumed by humans to accumulate.

As a result of human activities Arsenic exposure has increased.

The main sources of arsenic contamination include some pesticides and herbicides, wood preservatives, phosphate fertilizers, industrial waste, mining, coal combustion and fusion ( 17 , 18 , 19 ).

Often arsenic into groundwater, which loaded heavily in some parts of the world (is 20 , 21 ).

Groundwater, arsenic finds its way into wells and other water sources that are used for growing crops and kitchen (water 22 ).

Paddy rice is particularly sensitive to arsenic contamination, for three reasons:

1. It is in flooded fields (paddies), the large amounts of irrigation water need has grown. In many areas, irrigation with arsenic (contaminated 22 ).
2. Arsenic in the soil of rice fields, the growing problem (accumulate 23 ).
3. The rice absorbs more arsenic from water and soil compared to other common food crops ( 8 ).

The use of contaminated water for cooking is another concern, since the rice grains absorb easily arsenic from boiling water when cooking ( 24 , 25 ).

Conclusion: Rice effectively absorbs arsenic from irrigation water, soil and water, including the kitchen. Some of these naturally occurring arsenic, but the pollution is often responsible for the highest levels.

Health effects of arsenic

High doses of arsenic are highly toxic, causing various symptoms and even death ( 26 , 27 ).

Eating arsenic is usually present in small amounts, not cause immediate symptoms of intoxication.

However, long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic can cause various health problems and increase the risk of chronic diseases. These include:

• Various types of cancer ( 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ).
• The narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels (vascular disease).
• High blood pressure (hypertension) ( 32 ).
• Heart disease ( 33 , 34 ).
• Type 2 diabetes ( 35 ).

In addition, arsenic is toxic nerve cells and the functionality of the brain influence ( 36 , 37 ). In children and adolescents, exposure to arsenic is brought in connection with:

• Difficulty concentrating learning and memory ( 38 , 39 ).
• Reduced intelligence and social skills ( 40 , 41 , 42 ).

Some of these problems may have occurred before birth. Several studies show that a high intake of arsenic in pregnant women has adverse effects on the fetus, increasing the risk of malformations and prevent the development ( 43 ).

Conclusion: The toxic symptoms of arsenic food in general a long time to develop. Long-term use may increase the risk for various health problems, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes type 2 increase and diminished intelligence.

Arsenic in rice is a concern?

Yes. No question, the arsenic in rice is a problem.

This can pose a threat to the health of people who eat rice every day in significant quantities.

This refers mainly to Asia or people with diets in Asia.

Other groups that can eat a lot of rice products, are young children and people with a free milk or gluten-free diet ^[6] . In baby food made from rice, rice crackers, pudding and rice milk can be a big part of these plans.

Young children are particularly vulnerable due to their small body size. Therefore, feeding rice cereal every day may not be a good idea ( 14 , 15 ).

Another concern is brown rice syrup, a sweetener derived from rice, which can be high in arsenic. It is in infant formula often (used 16 , 44 ).

Of course, not all rice contains high levels of arsenic, but the determination of arsenic content of rice a particular product can be difficult (if not impossible) without actually measured in a laboratory.

Conclusion: Arsenic contamination is a serious problem for the millions of people who depend on rice as a staple food problem. Young children are also at risk if rice-based products for a large part of their diet.

How to reduce arsenic in rice

The arsenic content of rice can by washing and cook to reduce the rice with clean water in low arsenic.

This is effective for white and brown rice, the arsenic content of up to 57% (could decrease 45 , 46 , 47 ).

However, if the cooking water high arsenic, can have the opposite effect, and the content of arsenic (significantly increase 24 , 45 , 48 ).

The following tips will help the arsenic content in rice to reduce:

• Avoid small amounts of water during cooking.
• Wash the rice before cooking. This method can 10-28% of arsenic (removing 45 , 47 ).
• Brown rice contains higher amounts of arsenic than white rice. If you eat large amounts of rice, the white version may be a better option ( 12 , 49 , 50 ).
• Choose fragrant rice ^[7] , such as jasmine or basmati ( 51 ).
• Choose rice Himalayan region, including northern India, northern Pakistan and Nepal ( 7 ).
• If possible, avoid rice grown during the dry season. The use of water contaminated with arsenic is in this period (often 7 , 23 ).

The last and most important piece of advice relating to your diet as a whole. Be sure to diversify your diet by eating a lot of different foods. Your diet should not be dominated by one type of food.

This will not only ensure that you get all the nutrients you need, but also prevents you from getting too much of one thing.

Conclusion: You can follow some simple methods of cooking tips to reduce the arsenic content of rice. Just keep in mind that certain types of rice such as basmati and jasmine, are low in arsenic.

Top news

Arsenic in rice is a major concern for many people.

Much of the world's population depends on rice as a main food source, and millions of people at risk of health problems are related to arsenic.

That is, if you eat rice in moderation as part of a varied diet, you should definitely be fine.

However, if the rice is an important part of your diet, make sure it has been grown in an unloaded area.

References

1. ^{^} Rice (authoritynutrition.com)
2. ^{^} arsenic (en.wikipedia.org)
3. ^{^} Food (authoritynutrition.com)
4. ^{^} rice cereal (en.wikipedia.org)
5. ^{^} brown rice syrup (authoritynutrition.com)
6. ^{^} gluten-free diet (authoritynutrition.com)
7. ^{^} fragrant rice (en.wikipedia.org)