This week Trust Me I’m A Doctor reported on the safe or otherwise levels of arsenic in rice after cooking.

Many people may not be aware that arsenic is present in the rice they buy and cooking will not get rid of it altogether.

However, it has been revealed that the cooking method you choose is key to the amount of arsenic you get rid of before eating.

Presenter Michael Mosley spoke to Prof Andy Meharg from Queen’s University, Belfast, who revealed the following:

Basmati rice contains lower levels than other rice.
Brown rice usually contains more arsenic than white rice (because of the husk).
Growing rice organically doesn’t make a difference to levels.

The Professor also confirmed that legislation are in place that limits the amount of arsenic allowed in rice. However, to reduce the levels further, rice should be cooked in excess water to help flush out arsenic, but soaking it overnight slashes levels by around 80 per cent because soaking open up the structure of the grains allowing more of the arsenic to escape.