FoodCooking rice in plastic bags confirmed to be unhealthy, study reveals

Cooking rice in plastic bags confirmed to be unhealthy, study reveals

Cooking rice in plastic bags is a poor idea.
Cooking rice in plastic bags is a poor idea.
Images source: © Getty Images | David Tajlat

11 July 2024 16:52

Do you occasionally cook rice in a bag? You might be interested to know that it's not a very healthy solution. Scientific studies have finally confirmed what has long been suspected. And maybe we knew it... but it still feels a bit deceiving.

White grains are excellent for health and proper body functioning. There is only one tiny problem. Out of nowhere, rice producers decided to sell rice in an unusual form: divided into plastic bags. Many people didn't like this approach from the beginning.

Throwing plastic along with food into boiling water at first glance seems like an idea from the category of — to put it mildly — unnecessary. But do our concerns reflect the facts? Unfortunately, yes. Scientific studies confirm this. Their results ultimately confirmed the inevitable. Cooking rice in plastic bags is simply unhealthy.

Rice with added plastic

Even rice that isn't packed in bags but is of poor quality has a composition that's hard to praise. According to scientific research, such grains often contain microplastic particles: polyethene, polypropylene, and polyethene terephthalate. Meanwhile, packing it in plastic packaging is an actual crime.

Before cooking rice, it's worth rinsing it. This removes, among other things, arsenic.
Before cooking rice, it's worth rinsing it. This removes, among other things, arsenic.© Canva | kuppa_rock

First of all, when plastic bags are heated, chemicals migrate into the food enclosed in them. The situation becomes severe for the body when fat ends up in the pot with boiling rice. Just a bit of oil will cause the chemical compounds from the plastic to dissolve quickly, and we'll end up having risotto with bisphenol for dinner.

Rice in a bag. What are the risks?

The effects of regularly consuming rice cooked in a bag can be truly severe. According to scientists, this can include, among other things, negative impacts on the hormonal system, reproductive organ diseases, and fertility issues.

So, how should you cook rice? Besides getting rid of the bags, one thing is worth remembering. It's best to add the grains to less water than usual. This way, no health-beneficial substances will "escape," and we can enjoy their benefits for the body. About 300 millilitres of water is enough for a cup of grains. Of course, be careful not to burn it!

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