Rice is a worldwide staple food and often a first food for infants. In epidemiologic studies of populations across the world and at various ages, intake of rice is related to increased biomarker concentrations of arsenic, in particular urinary arsenic. Other foods also may increase exposure to arsenic, including seaweeds and other weaning foods. Urinary arsenic concentrations have been related to risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other health outcomes in adults. In children, urinary arsenic concentrations have been associated with low birth weight, along with adverse neurodevelopmental and immune-related outcomes. Many studies have examined the health impacts of rice intake, but few have considered the potentially confounding effects of other dietary constituents and exposure to arsenic through drinking water. One large cohort study that examined rice intake stratified by water arsenic concentrations found an increasing trend in cardiovascular disease risk among those with low drinking water concentrations. A further study from Bangladesh detected an elevated risk of skin lesions in relation to rice consumption also among those with lower drinking water arsenic concentrations. Similarly, in our population-based case-control study from New Hampshire, the odds ratios for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin were related to frequency of rice intake especially brown rice in those with low household water arsenic concentrations. Thus, new evidence on the potential health impacts of arsenic from rice and other foods suggests that efforts are needed to reduce exposure particularly in critical developmental windows such as during pregnancy and early childhood.

Rice consumption and adverse health outcomes: What do we know?

255th National Meeting (2018)

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