Processing Conditions, Rice Properties, Health and Environment
2011

Impact of Rice Processing on Health and Environment

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roy Poritosh, Orikasa Takahiro, Okadome Hiroshi, Nakamura Nobutaka, Shiina Takeo

Primary Institution: National Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

Hypothesis

Changing rice consumption patterns can improve food security and reduce health risks associated with arsenic contamination.

Conclusion

Switching from parboiled rice to untreated rice can conserve significant amounts of rice and reduce arsenic contamination risks.

Supporting Evidence

  • Brown rice and germinated brown rice contain more health beneficial components than well milled rice.
  • Parboiled rice is more prone to arsenic contamination if contaminated water is used.
  • Switching rice consumption patterns could conserve 43–54 million tons of rice.

Takeaway

Eating less parboiled rice and more untreated rice can help keep us healthy and save a lot of rice for everyone.

Methodology

The study reviews various rice processing methods and their effects on health and environmental outcomes.

Limitations

The study relies on existing literature and may not include all recent findings.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/ijerph8061957

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