Rice is a staple food for millions of people across the world. Packed with health benefits, rice is a super-rich source of carbohydrates - the body's main fuel source which keeps you energized and satisfied and is important for fueling exercise. It is also an excellent source of many nutrients, including fibre, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins.
But before you throw your rice in a pot of water, is it healthiest to wash it first? According to experts, whether long- or short-grained, white or brown - washing rice is not a prerequisite for preparing this common dish.
According to studies, arsenic is found naturally in soil and water and is considered toxic.
Apart from taste reasons – as many say rinsing your rice makes it look fluffier and tastier, it also helps remove topical starch. And when this starch is reduced, the rice grains would be less clumpy.
Related News |Rinsing helps wash away undesirable materials including any leftover debris like dirt or small pebbles, which can be detrimental to your health. Also, washing helps remove microplastics from food packaging.
As a result of human activities, arsenic pollution has been rising.
The main sources of arsenic pollution include certain pesticides and herbicides, wood preservatives, phosphate fertilizers, industrial waste, mining activities, coal burning, and smelting.
Arsenic easily drains into groundwater - heavily polluted - and from there, finds its way to water supplies that are used for crop irrigation and cooking.
Rice is particularly susceptible to arsenic contamination because it is grown in flooded fields, and it absorbs more arsenic from water and soil compared to other common food crops.