Arsenic in brown rice: do the benefits outweigh the risks? Published online 2023 Jul 14 [View all]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10375490/


"Abstract

Brown rice has been advocated for as a healthier alternative to white rice. However, the concentration of arsenic and other pesticide contaminants is greater in brown rice than in white. The potential health risks and benefits of consuming more brown rice than white rice remain unclear; thus, mainstream nutritional messaging should not advocate for brown rice over white rice. This mini-review aims to summarize the most salient concepts related to dietary arsenic exposure with emphasis on more recent findings and provide consumers with evidence of both risks and benefits of consuming more brown rice than white rice. Despite risk-benefit assessments being a challenging new frontier in nutrition, researchers should pursue an assessment to validate findings and solidify evidence. In the interim, consumers should be cognizant that the dose of arsenic exposure determines its toxicity, and brown rice contains a greater concentration of arsenic than white rice..............."

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*Conclusion

There is a clear lack of research focusing on human consumption of brown rice that includes a risk-benefit approach. The fact that brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice cannot be denied, and the human health risks associated with dietary arsenic exposure are well-established. Health effects of arsenic exposure depend on various factors, such as the type of arsenic (organic or inorganic), the level of exposure, and the age of the person exposed to the arsenic. Arsenic exposure has been associated with cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. Despite risk-benefit assessment of foods being a challenging new frontier in food safety research, future studies should include an assessment to validate findings and solidify evidence. In the interim, consumers should be cognizant that the dose of arsenic exposure determines its toxicity, and brown rice contains a greater concentration of arsenic than white rice."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10375490/ WHOLE ARTICLE