Rice soaking overnight helps reduce the risk of toxic chemicals

Scientists believe that soaking rice overnight before cooking is the best way to remove toxic residues.

Residual chemicals from pesticides and industrial waste can be stored in the soil for decades and easily penetrate rice due to the characteristics of wet rice cultivation. British scientists believe that millions of people around the world may be cooking in the wrong way , not removing harmful substances in rice before cooking, according to the Telegraph.

In a BBC program, Professor Andy Meharg of Queens Belfast University, he tested three methods of cooking rice to test the ability to remove toxic chemicals, especially arsenic residues from pesticides, out. from rice.

Rice is grown in flooded environments, so chemicals easily penetrate rice grains.(Artwork: Reuters).

In the first experiment, Meharg cooked rice with a ratio of two water per rice and the amount of water would evaporate during the cooking process. In the second experiment, he cooked with a ratio of 5 water per rice, excess water was poured during cooking. Test results show that residual arsenic in this test is only half compared to the first test.

In the third test, Meharg soaked rice overnight before cooking. The results showed that arsenic residues in rice decreased by 80%.

This expert thinks that the best way to cook rice is to remove residual chemicals from rice and soak rice overnight , until it is clear, put rice into a pot with a ratio of 5 water per rice, add a little salt and mix all.

While cooking, wait for the water to boil and then lower the temperature to the lowest level and cover the pot, keeping the temperature for 10-15 minutes and do not open the rice for the cooked rice.

Arsenic exists in organic and inorganic form, in which inorganic arsenic from pesticides can affect human health. The European Commission 2015 regulates the amount of inorganic arsenic in cooked rice should not exceed 0.2 mg / kg, effective from January 2016.