India, April 13 -- I n a recent public health advisory shared on Instagram, UK-based nutritionist Zib Atkins raised concerns about heavy metal contamination in staple grains, particularly rice. Highlighting how both geography and grain variety influence exposure, he also outlined which types of rice may be safer for consumption. Zib identified arsenic, which is a highly toxic metalloid, as the primary concern for rice consumers. "The problem is that arsenic builds up in our soil. Rice absorbs that arsenic, and depending on where the rice is grown, that can be at much higher levels," he explained, adding, "This is a problem because arsenic is toxic. It's a known carcinogen and neurotoxin, meaning it damages the brain too." Zib advises completely avoiding rice grown in the United States, citing historical pesticide use as a key factor behind elevated arsenic levels in the soil. "You definitely want to avoid anything that's grown in the USA," he said, noting that most research points to significantly higher arsenic content in US-grown rice. Instead, the nutritionist recommends opting for long-grain aromatic varieties: "If you can go one step further, go for the organic basmati too as then you're not exposing yourself to all the pesticides that normal rice is sprayed with," he added. For those who continue to include rice in their diet, Zib emphasised that cooking methods can help reduce exposure. He recommends a pasta-style method instead of the traditional absorption technique to help flush out contaminants: Zib concluded by urging a broader perspective on nutrition, stating, "Variety matters. Rotate your carbohydrate sources: potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, oats. Diversifying reduces the risk of a single contaminant building up over time."...