Cancer risk from arsenic How much rice is just still healthy?

Better not always put rice on the menu

Although rice is actually considered to be a healthy food, grains should not be on the menu too often. Rice is often contaminated with arsenic. This can be dangerous especially for small children.

Healthy rice

Among health experts, rice is considered part of a balanced diet. It contains valuable protein, vitamins and minerals as well as important amino acids and fiber. In addition, the high potassium content ensures that the body is dehydrated and purified. However, food should not be on the menu too often, experts say. Because rice is often loaded with arsenic.

Rice often contains arsenic and, according to consumer advocates, should not be on the menu all the time. (Image: M.studio/fotolia.com)

Arsenic in food

Health experts have been warning of arsenic in our food for years. Even in German beer, the dangerous substance has already been detected.

But especially in rice and rice products are often traces of arsenic. This is pointed out by the Bavarian consumer center.

Arsenic often occurs in soils, groundwater and surface water and reaches the rice grains via the roots of the rice plant.

So-called inorganic arsenic is classified as a carcinogen. Since 2016, limits for inorganic arsenic in rice have been in force in the European Union.

In the case of infant and infant foods such as rice pudding or rice waffles, producers must comply with particularly low maximum levels.

Children are particularly at risk

"Chronic intake of small amounts of inorganic arsenic compounds over a longer period of time can lead to skin changes, vascular and nerve damage, as well as promote cardiovascular diseases and reproductive toxicity (teratogenic)," explains the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

Light arsenic poisoning can lead to complaints such as cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and kidney failure, according to health experts.

Children are particularly at risk, they often get rice waffles, rice porridge or rice milk, which are overly burdened. Experts therefore point out again and again that parents should give their offspring such foods only now and then.

Proper preparation

But despite the potential health risk of a complete renunciation of rice is not necessary, says Heidrun Schubert, nutrition expert of the Consumer Center Bavaria.

Certain types or types of preparation reduce the risk.

"Because the element accumulates primarily in the margins of the rice grain, brown rice and parboiled rice often contain higher amounts than white rice," says Schubert.

She recommends washing the rice thoroughly before cooking and cooking in plenty of water.

A study by British scientists has also shown that rice soaked overnight in water contains less arsenic.

"As a matter of principle, rice-free meals should alternate with rice-free meals," says Heidrun Schubert. (Ad)