Something for rice lovers to think about

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Takiap
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Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by Takiap »

Saw this on the BBC, so I thought I would share on here. It doesn't really concern me because these days I very rarely eat rice.

If anyone is up for a challenge, try explaining this article to a Thai. :D

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38910848



:cheers:
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christopher1
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by christopher1 »

I'm glad I've been eating, Chiang Mai new potatoes for the past couple of months! :mrgreen:
moater
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by moater »

I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned in the article, but different kinds of rice have very different levels of arsenic.

You should especially watch out for brown rice, which contains around 80% more arsenic than your average white. Arsenic accumulates mostly in the grain’s outer layer, which is removed to make white rice.
golferstu
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by golferstu »

The Risk Assessment Information System database states “The acute lethal dose of inorganic arsenic to humans has been estimated to be about 0.6 mg/kg/day”. A 23 year old male who ingested 8 g of arsenic survived for eight days.


Not obvious from reading the article of what level of inorganic arsenic there is in this so-called rice.
HHTel
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by HHTel »

moater wrote:I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned in the article, but different kinds of rice have very different levels of arsenic.

You should especially watch out for brown rice, which contains around 80% more arsenic than your average white. Arsenic accumulates mostly in the grain’s outer layer, which is removed to make white rice.
It does:
Basmati rice contains lower levels than other rice
Brown rice usually contains more arsenic than white rice (because of the husk)
Growing rice organically doesn’t make a difference to levels
Rice cakes and crackers can contain levels higher than in cooked rice.
The levels of arsenic found in rice milk far exceed the amounts that would be allowed in drinking water
handdrummer
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by handdrummer »

after eating rice at least 3 to 5 times a week for over 75 yrs. I have had no ill effects.
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PeteC
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by PeteC »

Below is a quote from the BBC article:

"Now, some ways of cooking rice reduce arsenic levels more than others. We carried out some tests with Prof Meharg and found the best technique is to soak the rice overnight before cooking it in a 5:1 water-to-rice ratio.
That cuts arsenic levels by 80%, compared to the common approach of using two parts water to one part rice and letting all the water soak in. Using lots of water - the 5:1 ratio - without pre-soaking also reduced arsenic levels, but not by as much as the pre-soaking levels."....

I had a conversation last night with some Thai people about all of this. It turns out that before the age of the electric rice cooker the normal way to prepare rice on a stove was by using the 5:1 water ratio. However, the extra water was saved and given to children to drink due to the lack of milk available here in those days. It was seen as a healthy alternative to milk.

Almost assuredly that compounded the problem in regards to developmental problems in children, if indeed it can be concluded that arsenic levels are really an issue here and in the rest of Asia.

Other than the above, a lot of blank looks all around in a way suggesting, "....what should we do now?....." Then the subject changed to more pleasant subjects and in 30 minutes it seemed all forgotten. Pete :cheers:
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Sabai Jai
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by Sabai Jai »

When you think about the proportion of the worlds population that have a rice based staple diet - and for how long this has been the case, I can't see how the arsenic levels can be dangerous? I understand that there are particular problems in Bangladesh.

A few years ago I had blood tests for arsenic. I had been using a Thai traditional medicine that was subsequently banned after being tested for arsenic. My results showed arsenic present but at quite low levels. The Lab had suggested it may be due to eating fish?

My London GP looked at his data base and told me that arsenic (as with many poisons) is used at very low levels in certain treatments. Rice was not mentioned - it was not in the news back then, although I eat quite a bit both here and in London.

So...Keep calm and carry on?

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Takiap
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Re: Something for rice lovers to think about

Post by Takiap »

I myself have eaten rice all my life, usually, 3 or 4 times a week while growing up, but drifted away from it once I was all grown up and able to eat anything I chose to eat. After arriving in Thailand, I soon found myself eating Thai food almost 100% of the time for many years, which obviously meant I was eating rice with every meal.

However, about 3 or 4 years ago (I think) I had a craving for some homemade mash potato, and I have more or less lived entirely on Farang food ever since, but when I say Farang food I mean Western dishes which I prepare myself at home, and obviously I do still have rice sometimes, but not very often. This has nothing to do with dietary concerns or anything like that. I simply prefer potatoes and pasta, and so do my kids for that matter. My biggest problem with rice here in Thailand is the way in which it is cooked. I just don't like rice cooker rice. Yesterday I tried cooking rice in my microwave and it came out way better than your average rice cooker rice, so I'll probably start eating it a bit more often now.

:cheers:
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact
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