Organic Rice Not Freed from Arsenic
Often sold at a higher price does not make organic rice quiet for enthusiasts. For some people think , organic rice and other organic foods tend to be healthier, better, and more nutritious .
Although organic rice tends to be healthier, you should pay attention to the arsenic content found in organic rice. Because as with ordinary rice, organic rice may also contain arsenic, a substance that has adverse health effects.
Know Organic Food
Before discussing more about arsenic in organic rice, first know what organic food is. Organic foods that are now easy to find, are foods grown or made using natural methods.
In organic crops, chemicals, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, they are not used at all or are heavily restricted. The process also does not use synthetic food additives and does not use radiation aid.
Organic Rice Also Contains Arsenic
Although organic foods tend not to be exposed to chemicals, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, but there is still an arsenic in organic food, including organic rice. Arsenic is a chemical element that can be found in soil, air, and water. Plants may contain arsenic due to absorption of soil and water.
In rice grown in rice fields, for example, arsenic can be absorbed not only from pesticides used, but also from irrigation water flowing in the fields. Irrigation water that has been contaminated with arsenic can cause rice, including organic rice, contaminated with this material. Arsenic that accumulates in the soil used to grow can also cause organic or other plant rice to be contaminated by arsenic.
Health Arsenic Threat
Although not only rice only that can be contaminated by arsenic, but the rice is able to absorb arsenic from soil and water more, when compared with other types of plants.
When absorbed by the body, arsenic substances can harm health. At low levels, arsenic exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, blood vessel damage, and decreased red blood cell count and white blood cells in the body. While at high levels and long-term exposure, arsenic may increase the risk of developing lung, bladder, skin cancer, and heart disease diseases. Organic rice is healthier but still has to be treated with good so that the body's harmful arsenic content can be eroded. The trick is to wash the rice using a lot of water and make sure the water used is not contaminated with arsenic. It is advisable to wash 1 cup of rice with at least 6 cups of water, so that the arsenic in the rice can be rinsed off. Organic rice can be one of the healthiest food choices. However, consider also how to process it, in order to obtain benefits optimally.