What is arsenic?
Arsenic is considered a pollutant and contains toxins and carcinogens. Arsenic is a silver-gray metalloid and arsenic is very toxic in compound form. In nature, arsenic is located in the sediment layer of the earth's crust, so it is often present in underground and surface waters.
Because arsenic is a naturally occurring element in soil, water and air, it cannot be completely removed from the environment, so arsenic can be found in foods, including rice and some types of fish.
Why does brown rice contain arsenic?
Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice due to the way it is processed.
Like other grains, rice was originally a whole grain, meaning that a grain of rice consists of three components: Endosperm, bran, and germ.
According to the Whole Grains Council :
Bran is a source of fiber, important antioxidants and B vitamins.
Embryos contain plenty of B vitamins and minerals along with some protein and healthy fats.
- Endosperm consists of starchy carbohydrates, proteins 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 husk, leaving the bran intact. Therefore, brown rice still has bran, endosperm and germ.
In contrast, to make white rice, the bran and germ are removed, leaving mainly the endosperm. Since the endosperm is mostly starchy carbohydrates, white rice is a nutritionally reduced version of its original form.
