Table of contents:
- Why burnt food can increase the risk of cancer
- Should I avoid eating grilled fish to prevent cancer?
- Tips for burning food to be healthier
Cancer is a serious disease that can affect anyone. Many factors can cause cancer, such as genetic factors and environmental factors. One of the environmental factors that can cause cancer is the food you eat. Yes, certain foods can cause cancer, such as meat grilled at high temperatures. How about grilled fish?
Why burnt food can increase the risk of cancer
Most people like baked goods. Yes, grilled food has its own distinctive taste. However, did you know that grilled food is not as healthy as you thought? Burnt foods can be unhealthy and increase your risk of developing cancer. How can?
Burning foods such as meat, chicken or fish at high temperatures can cause changes in the nutrients contained in these foods. Protein compounds in muscles present in meat, chicken, or fish can react with the high temperature of burning and form carcinogenic compounds. These carcinogenic compounds are called heterocyclic amines (HCA). In addition, other compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also form and increase the risk of cancer. PAH compounds are formed when meat, chicken, or fish fat drips onto hot coals and causes smoke to settle in the food.
HCA and PAH start to form when the combustion temperature reaches 100C and can become even more dangerous when the temperature reaches 300C. HCA and PAH can damage the composition of the DNA in your genes, which can lead to the development of cancer cells. These cancer cells can develop into colon cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lymph cancer. This may occur because the carcinogenic HCA compounds can spread to other tissues throughout the body through the bloodstream.
Should I avoid eating grilled fish to prevent cancer?
Apparently, you shouldn't avoid eating grilled fish. Food is not the only cause of cancer, there are many other causes of cancer. However, it's a good idea to limit, don't eat too much or often eat burnt foods, especially grilled meat.
Why? Meat or chicken contains more protein and fat than fish. So, the HCA compound that is formed from burning meat can be more than grilled fish. In addition, meat or chicken takes longer to grill than grilled fish. The longer the food is burned, the more dangerous it is. So, the risk of grilled fish in causing cancer is actually smaller than if you eat grilled meat or chicken.
Tips for burning food to be healthier
To further reduce the risk of cancer when you eat burnt food, it's a good idea to follow these tips.
- Marinate the fish or meat before grilling. Marination can reduce the levels of HCA formation by up to 99%. Especially, marinated with sour ingredients.
- Use spices to season. It can also decrease the formation of HCA compounds. You can use mint leaves, onions, garlic, rosemary, and turmeric.
- Do not apply the sauce while grilling. Using barbeque sauce while grilling can increase the likelihood of HCA formation by 1.9-2.9 times. We recommend using the sauce when you want to eat it.
- Eat grilled meat or fish along with vegetables and fruit, such as spinach, apples, watermelon, blueberries, and grapes. This can inhibit the activity of HCA compounds in the body.
- Don't burn the food for too long. You can cut the meat or fish into smaller pieces to make them cook faster.
- Clean the grill from carcinogenic residues that stick before or after you use it.
