The Claim
Boiling, soaking, or washing rice in arsenic-contaminated tap water does not reduce total arsenic content and may increase it due to the higher arsenic concentration in the water compared to the rice.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Cooking rice with water that contains high levels of arsenic does not remove arsenic from the rice and can add more arsenic to it.
See the scientific wording
Boiling, soaking, or washing rice in arsenic-contaminated tap water does not reduce total arsenic content and may increase it, due to the higher arsenic concentration in the water compared to the rice.
When rice is boiled, soaked, or washed in water with more arsenic than the rice contains, arsenic moves from the water into the rice grains because the arsenic concentration is higher outside than inside the grains.
What the research says
1 studyWashing or cooking rice in water that has more arsenic than the rice itself ends up putting more arsenic into the rice, instead of washing it away. So if your water is dirty, your rice gets dirtier.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.