Rice is considered by most people as a pretty healthy food. But it turns out the rice can be a real source of exposure to inorganic arsenic. Predicted daily intake of rice can increase the burden of cumulative exposure to inorganic arsenic.
Inorganic arsenic is a toxic form of arsenic in the urine.
Conclusions are based on the results of research Michael S. Bloom, PhD, assistant professor at the University at Albany, New York. The study measured levels of arsenic in urine from 229 pregnant women in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a U.S. state in which 40 percent of people obtain water from wells.
Well water sometimes have higher levels of arsenic than water that has been processed by the water company, which must meet federal safety standards.
Researchers examined levels of arsenic in water consumed by women. Researchers also asked the women to write down what foods are eaten in 3 days before the urine test.
After counting kadararsenik in drinking water, it turns out the researchers also found that inorganic arsenic levels slightly higher in women who just ate rice as compared with women who did not eat rice.
"Women who eat just half a cup of rice each day will get arsenic same as if they drank one liter of tap water at the maximum allowable EPA limit for arsenic," said Michael S. Bloom, PhD, as reported by WebMD, Wednesday (07/12/2011).
The study showed that rice is likely to be a significant source of arsenic in the diet of pregnant women. "Exposure to arsenic during pregnancy is quite alarming. Arsenic can cross the placental barrier and can harm the developing baby," the researchers said.
USA Rice Federation said that all the arsenic in water is inorganic, the toxic form of arsenic. Some organic arsenic found in rice. Though organic rice is a type of rice that are believed harmless.
Each gram of rice eaten by women was associated with increased 1 percent in the levels of arsenic. One gram is about 48 grains of rice.
"This study really learn about exposure to arsenic, but did not study the effects on health," said Margaret R. Karagas, PhD, a professor of community and family medicine in epidemiology from the Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon.
Research has linked high levels of arsenic in the pregnant woman to an increased risk of miscarriage. Exposure to arsenic in utero has also been associated with low birth weight in children and increased risk of infant death.
Most cases occur in developing countries, where women have arsenic levels 50-200 times higher than those seen in this study.
The study results have shown that that people with long-term arsenic exposure have a higher risk of skin cancer, lung, and bladder. Arsenic also has been associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Review the results of such research is not meant to prohibit people who eat rice. However, should the people choose the types of rice that they eat.
The study results have found brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic compared with white rice, because the arsenic concentration in the outer layer of rice bran.
The results of these studies are very useful for the development of research on popular staple food widely consumed throughout the world. However, larger studies need to be done again to confirm and support the research.
Further research is also needed to know better about the health effects of arsenic exposure from eating rice.
Inorganic arsenic is a toxic form of arsenic in the urine.
Conclusions are based on the results of research Michael S. Bloom, PhD, assistant professor at the University at Albany, New York. The study measured levels of arsenic in urine from 229 pregnant women in New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a U.S. state in which 40 percent of people obtain water from wells.
Well water sometimes have higher levels of arsenic than water that has been processed by the water company, which must meet federal safety standards.
Researchers examined levels of arsenic in water consumed by women. Researchers also asked the women to write down what foods are eaten in 3 days before the urine test.
After counting kadararsenik in drinking water, it turns out the researchers also found that inorganic arsenic levels slightly higher in women who just ate rice as compared with women who did not eat rice.
"Women who eat just half a cup of rice each day will get arsenic same as if they drank one liter of tap water at the maximum allowable EPA limit for arsenic," said Michael S. Bloom, PhD, as reported by WebMD, Wednesday (07/12/2011).
The study showed that rice is likely to be a significant source of arsenic in the diet of pregnant women. "Exposure to arsenic during pregnancy is quite alarming. Arsenic can cross the placental barrier and can harm the developing baby," the researchers said.
USA Rice Federation said that all the arsenic in water is inorganic, the toxic form of arsenic. Some organic arsenic found in rice. Though organic rice is a type of rice that are believed harmless.
Each gram of rice eaten by women was associated with increased 1 percent in the levels of arsenic. One gram is about 48 grains of rice.
"This study really learn about exposure to arsenic, but did not study the effects on health," said Margaret R. Karagas, PhD, a professor of community and family medicine in epidemiology from the Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon.
Research has linked high levels of arsenic in the pregnant woman to an increased risk of miscarriage. Exposure to arsenic in utero has also been associated with low birth weight in children and increased risk of infant death.
Most cases occur in developing countries, where women have arsenic levels 50-200 times higher than those seen in this study.
The study results have shown that that people with long-term arsenic exposure have a higher risk of skin cancer, lung, and bladder. Arsenic also has been associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Review the results of such research is not meant to prohibit people who eat rice. However, should the people choose the types of rice that they eat.
The study results have found brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic compared with white rice, because the arsenic concentration in the outer layer of rice bran.
The results of these studies are very useful for the development of research on popular staple food widely consumed throughout the world. However, larger studies need to be done again to confirm and support the research.
Further research is also needed to know better about the health effects of arsenic exposure from eating rice.
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