Arsenic Alert: Since writing the information above and below, the news has been full of information about the fact that there is arsenic in rice at levels that are dangerous to our health. Unfortunately, this news is true. Others have taken the time to write in detail about this, and links to their articles follow. In the meantime, this is what I am doing to help reduce the possibility of ingesting too much arsenic. Once again it appears pesticides play into this, in particular the pesticides that were used in the past in growing cotton...so rice in the US grown in areas that used to grow cotton seem to have higher levels. Again, read the links I will provide for you shortly.
- I am not eating brown rice until more information about it's safety is available, as brown rice seems to have more arsenic in it than white
- I am eating other grains in place of rice, including Barley, Quinoa, and even Rye Grain or Bulgar Wheat depending upon the recipe
- I will continue to use the Rice imported from India, that I have been using as what I am reading says there is significantly less arsenic in some imported brands.
- When cooking rice, it is suggested that you rinse it well, then cook it in more water than it will absorb, and when it is finished cooking, drain and discard the excess water. This will mean giving up our rice cookers for some types of rice until we know more.
- Don't drink rice milk
- Find alternatives to rice baby food
- FDA site's arsenic in rice information with links to more info
- Lundberg, a favorite source for natural organic rice, has information with links to more information
At the University of Utah, in a study of over 2000 people, a team led by Dr. Martha Slattery found that high intakes of whole grains, such as brown rice, reduced the risk of rectal cancer 31%. They also found that a high-fiber diet, 34 grams or more of fiber per day, reduced rectal cancer by an impressive 66%. The findings were published in the February 2004 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In a Study presented at American Heart Association Conference, March 2006, overweight children, age 9-15, spent two weeks on an all-you-can-eat diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein, while exercising 2.5 hours each day. University of California researchers led by Dr. James Barnard reported that in just two weeks, the children's cholesterol levels dropped an average of 21%, while insulin levels fell 30%.
As we approach each New Year, we encourage parents everywhere to consider guiding themselves and their children down a healthier path by replacing processed and refined grains with healthy, natural whole grains such as brown rice. The healthy habits that your children learn from you while young will stay with them and be passed on for generations to come. This is one small change that can make a BIG difference.