Researchers have discovered a new way to make the consumption of rice safer. “Our research findings show that arsenic removal can be readily conducted using this post-harvest processing of rice.”He examined if parboiling wholegrain rice (with the husk removed) would reduce the levels of different forms of arsenic compared with parboiling rough rice. People in Bangladesh eat about a pound of rice per person per day, according to statistics from the International Rice Research Institute. Parboiling wholegrain rice instead of parboiling rough rice reduced levels of arsenic by about a quarter in the final polished grain, while increasing calcium by 213%, the study showed. The researchers said potassium loss must be balanced with the advantages of reduced arsenic and increased calcium.

Source: Irish Examiner April 17, 2019 12:00 UTC