The Cadmium in Your Rice Is Linked to Kidney Disease

Rice is contaminated with cadmium, and the people who eat the most rice have the most kidney disease.

Rice, Cadmium, and Your Kidneys

A 2026 study used spatial mapping and individual health data to link rice cadmium content to kidney disease. In regions where rice cadmium levels are higher, so are rates of kidney damage.

Rice absorbs cadmium from contaminated soil more efficiently than most other crops. If rice is your staple grain, your cadmium exposure adds up fast.

What You Can Do

Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking. Cook with extra water and drain it (reduces cadmium). Vary your grains. Browse non-toxic kitchen alternatives for safer food prep.

Source: Authors (2026).