<p>Last year, a report tabled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) shed light on the high arsenic content found in vegetables and rice produced in 12 states of the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The council found a high quantity of arsenic in potato, brinjal, amaranth, radish, lady’s finger, and cauliflower. A hazardous chemical, arsenic is found naturally in our environment in water, soil and air. It might be present in the soil naturally or it could be left behind from the use of arsenic-based pesticides or herbicides. <br /><br />This legacy of contamination can cause problems even for food grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. In fact, research in foreign countries has revealed that organic food products containing a supplement known as organic brown rice syrup have a much higher concentration of arsenic than foods without it. <br /><br />Found in two different forms – inorganic and organic – arsenic has often been linked with an increased risk of cancer in humans. The organic arsenic used in pesticides and weed killers may not be as dangerous as the inorganic form, but is deemed poisonous to humans when consumed in high concentration. <br /><br />A long-term intake of arsenic can cause various illnesses such as convulsions, mental agitation, encephalopathy, cancer, skin disorders, difficulty in concentration, insomnia and blood disorders. <br /><br />There is no quick solution to this for consumers, as they are unable to see, taste or smell arsenic in their food. But we can certainly limit our exposure to the harmful effects of this chemical by simply making way for a diverse and healthy diet. Here are a few tips to stay protected from arsenic exposure:<br /><br />n Our diet is a rice-based one. So, rice is a good place to start checking for arsenic levels. Check the package of rice and choose brands that are low in arsenic content.<br /><br />n Wash your rice grains thoroughly, organic or non-organic, prior to cooking. Rinsing lowers the arsenic content, which is water soluble.<br /><br />n Cook rice with large volumes of water and drain it off. This will wash away the arsenic levels by up to 50%.<br /><br />n Keep changing the grains in your diet with alternatives like quinoa, cous cous, amaranth, corn, buckwheat and millet.<br /><br />n For infants, ditch packaged baby food and rice cereals. Instead, introduce them to fruits or vegetables like mashed peas, bananas or squash as the first food, instead of rice-based cereal. <br /><br />n Avoid apple and grape juice or limit their intake.<br /><br />n Keep a check on your local water supply and consider using a filtering unit for drinking water.<br /><br />No matter what the form of agriculture is, it can be tough to prevent contamination in the environment where the food is cultivated. So, instead of worrying about what not to eat, one must focus on eating healthy and safe food.<br /><br />(The author is chief farmer at Back2Basics Farm, Muthkur)</p>
<p>Last year, a report tabled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) shed light on the high arsenic content found in vegetables and rice produced in 12 states of the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The council found a high quantity of arsenic in potato, brinjal, amaranth, radish, lady’s finger, and cauliflower. A hazardous chemical, arsenic is found naturally in our environment in water, soil and air. It might be present in the soil naturally or it could be left behind from the use of arsenic-based pesticides or herbicides. <br /><br />This legacy of contamination can cause problems even for food grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. In fact, research in foreign countries has revealed that organic food products containing a supplement known as organic brown rice syrup have a much higher concentration of arsenic than foods without it. <br /><br />Found in two different forms – inorganic and organic – arsenic has often been linked with an increased risk of cancer in humans. The organic arsenic used in pesticides and weed killers may not be as dangerous as the inorganic form, but is deemed poisonous to humans when consumed in high concentration. <br /><br />A long-term intake of arsenic can cause various illnesses such as convulsions, mental agitation, encephalopathy, cancer, skin disorders, difficulty in concentration, insomnia and blood disorders. <br /><br />There is no quick solution to this for consumers, as they are unable to see, taste or smell arsenic in their food. But we can certainly limit our exposure to the harmful effects of this chemical by simply making way for a diverse and healthy diet. Here are a few tips to stay protected from arsenic exposure:<br /><br />n Our diet is a rice-based one. So, rice is a good place to start checking for arsenic levels. Check the package of rice and choose brands that are low in arsenic content.<br /><br />n Wash your rice grains thoroughly, organic or non-organic, prior to cooking. Rinsing lowers the arsenic content, which is water soluble.<br /><br />n Cook rice with large volumes of water and drain it off. This will wash away the arsenic levels by up to 50%.<br /><br />n Keep changing the grains in your diet with alternatives like quinoa, cous cous, amaranth, corn, buckwheat and millet.<br /><br />n For infants, ditch packaged baby food and rice cereals. Instead, introduce them to fruits or vegetables like mashed peas, bananas or squash as the first food, instead of rice-based cereal. <br /><br />n Avoid apple and grape juice or limit their intake.<br /><br />n Keep a check on your local water supply and consider using a filtering unit for drinking water.<br /><br />No matter what the form of agriculture is, it can be tough to prevent contamination in the environment where the food is cultivated. So, instead of worrying about what not to eat, one must focus on eating healthy and safe food.<br /><br />(The author is chief farmer at Back2Basics Farm, Muthkur)</p>
