Should you worry about the level of arsenic in your diet?

Rice is often the first solid baby food. Although in recent years arsenic levels have declined considerably in rice-based formulations, a group of activists (Healthy Babies Bright Futures) says that current levels of these foods can affect normal brain development. They have developed a study that shows that arsenic levels in baby food based on rice marketed in the United States contain 6 times more arsenic than other non-rice products. However, the study was conducted only on a batch of 100 tested products, 45 products from 9 different companies. It was not published in a scientific journal and was not verified by other researchers or replicated, but only posted on the HBBF. Representative of this group, Jane Houlihan, argues that there are healthy alternatives without increased arsenic and costing the same, even less than those based on rice.

These include buckwheat, oats, barley, quinoa, or even wheat. For years, pediatricians encourage parents to introduce a large variety of cereals into their diet to minimize exposure to arsenic. FDA has proposed limiting the inorganic arsenic content to baby products, but not all the steps have yet been taken. First of all, you need to diversify your diet as much as possible. This is one of the most important principles when it comes to a healthy diet: eat a variety of foods, do not restrict your options! If you do not want to give up all kinds of rice dishes, you have to learn to cook it properly: .

Studies show that in this way you can reduce by up to 60% the content of inorganic arsenic in rice. In addition to rice, the foods to be avoided, according to a new study in New Hampshire, are: - Beer - White and red wine - Brussels sprouts - Dark meat (salmon, tuna, sardines) . Arsenicosis, or, is a serious medical condition caused by the accumulation of high levels of arsenic due to contaminated water or industrial areas. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, dehydration, hemolysis, vertigo, delirium, shock or even death. The information presented above is not intended to induce panic.

The answer to the question in the title is obviously \. Lately, statistics show that the level of arsenic in diet has dropped considerably and we do not have to worry that any sips of rice, cheese, milk or even water is poured with arsenic. The diet should be as diverse as the foods mentioned above should be consumed carefully. Of course, if you live in an industrial area, you should consider moving the residence or alerting the authorities, but in this case arsenic will not be the number one enemy. Pollution of both air, soil and water leads to disastrous effects both on the planet and on the health of any living being cohabiting on it.