Why does brown rice contain arsenic?

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is considered a pollutant, it is toxic and carcinogenic. Arsenic is a silvery-gray metalloid and is very toxic in its compound form. In nature, arsenic is found in sediments of the earth's crust and is therefore commonly found in groundwater and surface waters.

Because arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air, it cannot be completely removed from the environment, so arsenic can be found in foods, including rice and some fish.

What is arsenic? Why is there arsenic in brown rice? Graphics: Dinh Dinh

Why brown rice contains arsenic

Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice due to the way it is processed.

Like other cereals, rice is originally a whole grain, meaning a grain of rice consists of three components: the endosperm, the bran, and the germ.

According to the Whole Grains Council:

- Bran is rich in fiber, important antioxidants and B vitamins.

- The embryo is rich in B vitamins and minerals along with a little protein and healthy fats.

- The endosperm consists of starchy carbohydrates, protein and small amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Arsenic accumulates in the bran layer, which is removed during the production of white rice.

Whole grain rice like brown rice is milled to remove only the hull, leaving the bran layer intact. Therefore, brown rice still contains the bran, endosperm, and germ.

In contrast, to make white rice, the bran and germ are removed, leaving behind mostly the endosperm. Since the endosperm is mostly starchy carbohydrates, white rice is a nutritionally reduced version of its original form.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/tai-sao-trong-gao-lut-co-chua-arsen-1364828.ldo