October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk3 min

Simple Cooking Changes That Can Make Rice Healthier

Excess-water cooking can lower arsenic in some rice, but may also remove nutrients. Rinsing and cooling have more limited, rice-specific evidence.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

There is no single cooking trick that makes every bowl of rice healthier. The clearest evidence here is that cooking rice in plenty of water and draining it can lower inorganic arsenic in some rice types—but it can also wash away added nutrients. Rinsing has mixed, rice-specific results, while cooling rice may affect resistant starch but does not reliably reduce its calories.

Does cooking rice in more water reduce arsenic?

It can. In a 2015 study, cooking rice in excess water lowered average inorganic arsenic by 40% in long-grain polished rice, 60% in parboiled rice and 50% in brown rice. Those are averages for the rice and cooking protocol tested, not guaranteed results for every brand, batch or household water supply. The study record also reports losses of enriched iron, folate, thiamin and niacin in polished and parboiled rice.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is a different approach from absorption cooking, in which the rice takes up nearly all the measured water. Excess-water cooking uses more water than the rice absorbs; you drain and discard what remains. That discarded water can carry away both arsenic and nutrients.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What the method can—and cannot—tell you

A 2006 study record describes washing rice, cooking it at a 1:6 rice-to-water ratio and draining the excess. With low-arsenic water, the method removed up to 57% of arsenic in the rice samples tested. “Up to” is a result from those samples, not a household guarantee. The study record does not establish one best water ratio for every rice or kitchen.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Aroma Housewares ARC-363-1NGB 3 Uncooked/6 Cups Cooked Rice Cooker, Steamer, Multicooker, 2-6 cups, Black
  • Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or a belly-warming soup, you can accomplish it all with your rice cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
  • One-Touch Operation – This cooker is a proud member of our “set it and forget it” mentality. The one-touch operation is fool-proof – just fill it, power on, and cook! BPA free
  • Simultaneous Steaming – With the included steam tray, steam foods above while rice, soup, or any other meal simultaneously cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality.
  • Automatic Keep Warm – Switches to Keep Warm mode automatically once the cooking cycle is completed to keep your foods at perfect serving temperatures.
  • Convenient Cooking & Cleaning – With the included nonstick inner pot, you can rest assured that cooking will be a breeze. When the cooking is completed, the inner pot can be safely and conveniently cleaned in the dishwasher!

Water quality matters as well as the cooking method, and results vary with rice type and preparation. The available findings do not establish a universally best method or quantify how this approach changes texture and convenience.

Does rinsing rice remove arsenic?

Not reliably across all rice. In the 2015 study, rinsing before cooking had minimal effect on arsenic in the cooked rice, while washing removed some iron, folate, thiamin and niacin from enriched rice.

Rank #2
AROMA® Rice Cooker, 3-Cup (Uncooked) / 6-Cup (Cooked), Steamer, Small Rice Cooker, Oatmeal Cooker, Soup Maker, Auto Keep Warm, 1.5 Qt, White, ARC-743-1NG
  • Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or a belly-warming soup, you can accomplish it all with your rice cooker. The possibilities are as creative as you are.
  • One-Touch Operation – This cooker is a proud member of our “set it and forget it” mentality. The one-touch operation is fool-proof – just fill it, power on, and cook!
  • Simultaneous Steaming – With the included steam tray, steam foods above while rice, soup, or any other meal simultaneously cooks below, allowing you to save time without sacrificing quality.
  • Automatic Keep Warm – Switches to Keep Warm mode automatically once the cooking cycle is completed to keep your foods at perfect serving temperatures.
  • Convenient Cooking & Cleaning – With the included nonstick inner pot, you can rest assured that cooking will be a breeze. When the cooking is completed, the inner pot can be safely and conveniently cleaned in the dishwasher!

Other findings differ by variety and protocol. A USDA National Agricultural Library project summary reports that rinse washing removed about 10% of total and inorganic arsenic from basmati rice, but was less effective for other types. It also reports that high-volume-water cooking reduced total and inorganic arsenic in long-grain and basmati rice. These findings do not make rinsing a dependable arsenic-reduction step for every rice.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Does cooling and reheating rice reduce calories and carbs?

Cooling cooked white rice has been studied for its effect on resistant starch and blood-glucose response, but the study details available here do not establish a reliable effect size that can be generalized to all rice, portions, people or cooking methods. Do not count on cooled rice to meaningfully reduce calories or produce a predictable health benefit.

Rank #3
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 8 Cups Cooked (4 Uncooked), With Steam & Rinse Basket, Stainless Steel (37518)
  • PERFECT FOR MEALS ANY TIME OF DAY: Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can cook rice, hot cereal and whole grains or steam seafood, vegetables, eggs and more with one incredibly versatile multi-function cooker.
  • FAMILY-SIZE CAPACITY: The removable pot of the rice cooker holds up to 2 quarts or 8 cups of cooked rice—enough to feed the whole family.*
  • EASY-OPENING HINGED LID: The hinged lid on the multi-function cooker makes it easy to open, fill and serve and seals to lock in moisture for consistently fluffy rice.
  • SIMPLE PRESET PROGRAM OPTIONS: Select an option on the control panel and press the button for perfectly cooked rice, grains or hot cereal. The rice cooker automatically switches to warm after cooking and keeps food warm for up to 12 hours.
  • ONE-POT MEAL VERSATILITY: With the included steam basket, this rice cooker steamer can steam vegetables, shrimp, eggs, seafood and more while your rice or grains cook below.

In a 2026 Associated Press report, endocrinologist and researcher David Ludwig said, “It doesn’t appreciably change the calorie content of that food.” Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said, “Chilling does not restore the losses of fiber, minerals and vitamins that have been removed in the refining process.” These are comments attributed to the speakers by the Associated Press, not a basis for promising that chilling rice cuts calories or restores nutrients.

Because the evidence available here does not establish safe cooling, refrigeration and reheating instructions, use current guidance from a food-safety authority before cooking rice ahead or storing leftovers.

Best Value
BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker 6-Cup (Cooked) with Steaming Basket, Removable Non-Stick Bowl, White
  • 6-Cup Cooked Rice Capacity Produces up to 6 cups of cooked rice using the included ¾-cup rice measuring cup (3 cups uncooked). Prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups. Use the included measuring cup for accurate portions as standard cups differ
  • Automatic Keep Warm - The rice stays ready for serving! The rice cooker automatically switches to the “keep warm” function after cooking is complete. Steamer Basket, Measuring Cup and Spoon Included
  • Nonstick Rice Pot – Removable for easy dishwasher cleanup. See manual for rice-to-water ratios by type. Rice texture varies by type and cook time—add more water for softer rice, less for firmer. Dimensions: 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 in. ETL Listed. V: 120V. 300W.
  • Steaming Basket & Accessories – Steam veggies, fish, and more with the included basket. Comes with a rice measuring cup for perfect portions and a serving spoon to protect the nonstick pot. Use only the rice cup, a standard kitchen cup
  • Perfect Rice, Every Time – Includes a ¾ cup measuring cup for accurate dry rice portions (up to 3 max). A steam vent directs steam safely away from cabinets. See manual for tips, rice ratios, and additional features.
Rank #4
Sale
Cosori Rice Cooker 10 Cup, Fuzzy Logic, Ceramic Coating Inner Pot,18-in-1
  • 𝟭𝟴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Choose from different types of white and brown rice with texture options, 3 types of grains, 3 types of oats, steamed vegetables, slow cook soups, and sauté flavored rice
  • 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝘇𝘇𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰: Whether you're a cooking novice or an experienced home cook, our rice cooker uses fuzzy logic technology to automatically adjust the 7-step cooking process, ensuring that you can get fluffy and evenly results
  • 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: You can enjoy warm and fresh rice anytime with the automatic 24-hour keep warm and 24-hour delay timer functions
  • 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: The perfect rice is worth the wait, and our 'Quick Rice' feature allows you to cook white rice more quickly in a pinch at 1000W of power without sacrificing taste or quality
  • 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻: All accessories are dishwasher-safe. Includes 1 ceramic-coated inner pot and 1 stainless steel steamer basket with your rice cooker—no need to purchase separately.

Which cooking change should you choose?

  • If reducing arsenic is your priority: Excess-water cooking and draining has evidence of reducing arsenic in several tested rice types, but the amount varies and some nutrients may be lost into the water.
  • If you prefer absorption cooking: Rinsing alone is not a universal arsenic solution. Its reported effect varies by rice type, and rinsing can wash nutrients from enriched rice.
  • If you are considering cooling rice: Resistant-starch and glycemic-response research does not support treating chilled rice as a dependable calorie-reduction or weight-loss method.
  • If you cook rice ahead: Check current food-safety guidance for cooling, refrigeration and reheating rather than assuming the method is safe.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.