How to Reduce Arsenic Exposure

It's widely known that rice tends to come with higher levels of arsenic than most other grains. So for those who eat rice on a regular basis, it's important to thoroughly wash rice before cooking, as washing helps reduce arsenic content.

I like to wash rice in hot water three times and follow this up by washing in cold water two more times or until the water runs clear. Hot water has been shown to be more effective than cold water in removing arsenic from rice.

Unfortunately, many Koreans save their rice rinsing water to use when they cook other dishes, as starchy rice water imparts some depth to soups, stews, and sauces. My view is that it is best to avoid ingesting this leftover rice rinsing water, as every bit of reduction in exposure to arsenic is a net positive to our health.