Scientists believe that millions are endangering their lives by cooking rice incorrectly, according to new evidence published in The Telegraph today. Industrial toxins in pesticides that find their way into rice include arsenic, chronic exposure to which can cause developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Professor Andy Meharg from Queens University Belfast, however, found that different cooking methods could drastically reduce exposure. Instead of using two parts water to one part rice, the professor recommends using more water and soaking the rice overnight.

By using five parts water to one part rice, and draining the excess water off, the professor succeeded in halving the levels of arsenic. By soaking the rice first overnight, arsenic levels dropped by 80%.