Let’s Talk Nutrition: The Low-Down on Brown Rice

You’ve heard it….eat more brown rice! Its got more fiber, more vitamins. And gosh, it’s just so easy to make. According to researchers, several servings of brown rice each week could help reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, a condition that’s on the rise in children and adults. But if you’re about to load your plate with brown rice, there’s something else to consider. A recent study identified high levels of arsenic in organic brown rice syrup, used as a sweetener in products such as baby foods and energy bars. Rice plants absorb arsenic – a toxic metal once used in pesticides, and still used in wood treatments. The arsenic is concentrated in the bran layer – which means that levels are lower in white rice. If you’re like many people, you have chosen to eat whole grains for health. So should you avoid brown rice, or is it safe to eat? Can’t a person just enjoy a good stir-fry?

Brown rice – a bowl of good health