Tag: Arsenic exposure

Rice is a staple food for billions, but its ability to absorb arsenic from soil and water has raised concerns. Certain types of rice and specific cooking methods can significantly reduce the amount of arsenic consumed, empowering you to make safer dietary choices.

Recent studies have found that all types of rice, including brown rice, can contain heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium. This is because rice plants are highly efficient at absorbing these elements from the soil and water, and the outer layers of the grain, preserved in brown rice, are where contaminants concentrate.

Recent studies from organizations like Consumer Reports have shown that rice varieties from specific regions, including Thai jasmine rice, tend to have lower levels of inorganic arsenic than rice grown in the United States, particularly in the south-central states. This is primarily due to regional differences in soil contamination, irrigation water sources, and specific rice cultivars.

Arsenic is naturally present in soil and groundwater, and a 2018 study comparing arsenic levels globally found that US-grown rice had significantly higher levels than rice from India and Pakistan. This element can be absorbed by plants and animals, and in its inorganic form, poses a health risk from long-term exposure, particularly from certain food sources like rice.

A 2025 report by Healthy Babies Bright Futures found that Indian basmati and Thai jasmine rice had some of the lowest arsenic levels among tested varieties. This finding leads many consumers to question, is jasmine or basmati rice lower in arsenic, and what else can be done to minimize dietary heavy metal exposure?

According to the World Health Organization, contaminated water used for irrigation is a primary way food crops, including nuts, are exposed to arsenic, a toxic heavy metal. This leads many to ask: which nut has the most arsenic and is it a cause for concern?