Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The article focuses on how diet plays a significant role in modifying the toxicity of inorganic arsenic (iAs). The paper explores arsenic’s presence in soil and its subsequent accumulation in food crops, especially rice and vegetables. It particularly highlights rice as a major dietary source of inorganic arsenic, noting the enhanced arsenic absorption in flooded paddy fields compared to aerobic soil conditions. Additionally, the review addresses how folic acid, antioxidants, and other dietary components in vegetables can help reduce arsenic-induced toxicity. The paper also emphasizes the vulnerability of children, especially those with celiac disease, who consume rice-based foods, thus experiencing higher arsenic intake. It suggests that more comprehensive dietary and environmental approaches are necessary to understand arsenic exposure, particularly in infants and young children.
Who is affected?
Populations most affected by inorganic arsenic exposure through diet are those who consume significant amounts of rice or rice-based products, such as children with celiac disease. Rice, often used as a staple food or in gluten-free diets, contains high levels of inorganic arsenic, which can accumulate in the body, particularly when consumed in large quantities over time. Children, especially those under one year old, are at greater risk due to their developing bodies and higher exposure from rice-based foods commonly used during weaning. Furthermore, communities living in areas with arsenic-contaminated soil or water, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the United States, are also vulnerable to higher dietary arsenic exposure. Public health authorities, food manufacturers, and those involved in the production of baby foods and gluten-free products need to focus on minimizing arsenic exposure through better sourcing and monitoring of food ingredients.
Most important findings
This review underscores the significant role of diet in modulating the toxicity of inorganic arsenic. It found that rice, especially from flooded fields, is a primary dietary source of inorganic arsenic due to the way the rice plant absorbs and accumulates arsenic from contaminated soil. Children, particularly those with celiac disease who consume large amounts of rice-based foods, are at higher risk of exposure. The paper also identifies folic acid as an essential nutrient in mitigating arsenic toxicity, with evidence suggesting that folate supplementation can reduce arsenic levels in the blood. The antioxidants present in vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower also play a protective role by reducing oxidative stress caused by arsenic exposure. Additionally, the review emphasizes the need for more precise studies on the interplay between arsenic exposure, diet, and health, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Key implications
For the food industry, especially manufacturers producing rice-based products and baby foods, this review highlights the importance of sourcing rice from areas with low arsenic concentrations and improving rice processing methods to reduce arsenic content. Public health authorities should implement stronger guidelines for arsenic levels in rice-based foods, particularly for infants and children. The review also calls for better regulation and monitoring of arsenic in foods consumed by vulnerable populations, especially those with dietary restrictions like celiac disease. Furthermore, the integration of nutritional interventions, such as folic acid supplementation and increased consumption of antioxidant-rich vegetables, could help mitigate the harmful effects of arsenic exposure. Future research should focus on refining dietary recommendations and risk assessment models for arsenic exposure, considering both environmental and dietary factors.
Citation
Da Sacco, L., Baldassarre, A., & Masotti, A. (2013). Diet’s role in the toxicity of inorganic arsenic (iAs): A journey from soil to children’s mouth. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 131, 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2012.11.014
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
