Next time you order Chinese takeout — you might want to take this unsavory news into account.
Thanks to its rich concentration of fiber and other nutrients, brown rice has often been hailed as the healthier alternative to white rice.
But a recent study shows the fan favorite contains significantly higher amounts of arsenic — the toxic chemical famously featured in old-school poison plots in murder mysteries.
Researchers analyzed the data of rice samples and found that brown rice contains 24% more arsenic and 40% more inorganic arsenic — a known carcinogen — than white rice.
Chronic consumption of either arsenic can lead to skin problems and digestive issues, as well as an increased risk of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The WHO notes that early childhood exposure to arsenic “has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults.”
Indeed, the new study’s researchers noted that “there is a potential risk to harmful exposure to arsenic from brown rice among children under the age of five,” given that they may eat more food relative to their body weight than adults.
Brown rice tends to accumulate higher levels of arsenic because the toxic element concentrates in the outer layers of the grain, which are retained in brown rice but removed during the processing of white rice.
This means that, while brown rice may offer more fiber and nutrients — it also delivers a heftier dose of arsenic.
But don’t panic — the researchers noted that “exposure for most Americans within the analysis did not rise to a level that was a concern to pose elevated risks of harmful health outcomes.”
As such, they’re not telling you to avoid brown rice altogether. They simply recommend diversifying grain choices and employing cooking methods that can reduce arsenic content — such as rinsing rice thoroughly and cooking it in excess water — especially for younger children.
The FDA has previously issued guidance on limiting rice consumption for infants and pregnant women, due to evidence that inorganic arsenic exposure has been linked to brain developmental issues and cancer risk.
