rice

Hear the word arsenic, and immediately poison comes to mind. From cancer to heart disease, arsenic has been linked to a multitude of health problems. High levels can be fatal, but the reality is this silver-gray or white element that naturally occurs in nature can be found in our food. Plants we consume may take up small amounts from soil and water. While trace amounts can be found in grains, fruits, and vegetables, rice is particularly susceptible. Yes, the rice you're eating does contain arsenic. So is there a way to enjoy rice and not consume the unhealthy chemical?

It is estimated that more than half of the world’s population is sustained wholly or partially on rice. The grain has been cultivated in Asia for centuries. In several Asian languages the words for rice and food are the same. There are thousands of varieties of rice, but the original form of the grain is unknown. From Asia, it traveled to India, the Mediterranean basin and Europe, and finally Africa.