Rice and arsenic: How much of the staple should we
eat?
THURSDAY ,
JANUARY 29, 2015 - 12:41 PM
By JAMIE LAMPROS
Standard-Examiner correspondent
What do you think of when you hear the word arsenic?
Over a century ago, arsenic was used as a sneaky way to get rid
of a spouse or a member of royalty, but are you aware that the chemical element
is also found in rice, and more of it is found in brown rice than in white
rice?
Stating that arsenic in our food is a real health concern,
Consumer Reports on Health has issued new guidelines on how much rice we should
be consuming.
“Exposure to one type, inorganic arsenic, can raise the risk of
some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” the organization states in a
recent newsletter. “Rice in general is one of the foods with the highest levels
of inorganic arsenic.”
The American Cancer Society defines arsenic as a known cause of
cancer. The natural element has been used in pesticides, as a preservative in
animal hide and as a preservative in pressure-treated lumber. Most arsenic
compounds have no smell or taste, so it’s hard for a person to tell if it’s in
their air, food, or water. The ACS states in high enough levels, arsenic has
been linked to several different types of cancer.
“Arsenic is a chemical element present in the environment from
both natural and human sources, including erosion of arsenic-containing rocks,
volcanic eruption, contamination from mining and smelting ores and previous or
current use of arsenic-containing pesticides,” said Tanner Clinic registered
dietician Jean Weinert. “There are two general types of arsenic compounds in
water, food, air and soil. Organic and inorganic. The inorganic forms of
arsenic are the forms that have been more closely associated with long-term
health effects.”
Weinert said arsenic is present in many foods, including grains,
fruits and vegetables where it is present due to absorption from the soil and
water. While most crops don’t readily take up much arsenic from the ground,
rice is different because it takes up arsenic from soil and water more readily
than other grains, she said.
“Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is associated with
higher rates of skin, bladder and lung cancers, as well as heart disease. The
FDA has been monitoring arsenic levels in rice for more than 20 years,” Weinert
said. “Its analysis thus far does not show any evidence of a change in arsenic
levels. Because of the recent concern about the amount of gluten in our diet,
many people have replaced wheat with rice. The general advice from most
nutrition experts is that our diets should include a wide variety of lots of
different grains, not only for good nutrition but also to minimize any
potential consequences from consuming any one food.”
The ACS also states that high levels of short-term exposure to
arsenic can cause health problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle
weakness, rashes and bruising.
Exposure to lower levels over a longer period of time can also
result in the same health problems, but additional problems can also occur,
such as cancer, irregular heartbeat, liver and kidney damage and an increased
risk of infection.
There is some good news however. In its latest tests, Consumer
Reports found that white basmati rice from India, California and Pakistan, and
sushi rice from the U.S. had half the amount of arsenic on average. Tests also
showed that amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, faro and grits had tiny
amounts of inorganic arsenic on average.
“We wouldn’t need to worry about arsenic, however, if there were
less of it in our food to begin with,” the organization states. “There is no
federal limit for the amount allowed in rice or rice products. Consumer Reports
has been urging the FDA to quickly complete its assessment of arsenic in rice
and set a limit.”
The organization said the FDA should also immediately address
the risk to children, who eat rice-based foods such as pasta and cereals. It is
also calling for the FDA to withdraw approval for the animal drug nitarsone,
which has arsenic and is used in poultry feed.
Weinert said the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends parents feed their infants and toddlers a variety of grains as part
of a well-balanced diet.
According to its website, the FDA states it is working with
federal partners—including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — as well as with
industry scientists, consumer groups and others to further study the issue of
arsenic in rice and evaluate ways to reduce exposure, such as through changes
in growing or manufacturing practices
Source with thanks:
Standard Examination
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