Is Grilling Linked To Cancer?

medicalnewstoday ^ | 08/04/07

[TornadoAlley3]

"Grilling is a low-fat method of cooking," says Elizabeth Schaub, registered and licensed dietitian on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. "But we have to be aware that it can increase our risk of cancer if we eat grilled meats too often."

It's true those juicy burgers, especially the charred ones, can contain cancer-causing carcinogens. "When you grill meat some of the fat does drip down on to the charcoal and when fat meets that really high temperature it develops a carcinogen and the smoke carries the carcinogen back up to the meat which can be dangerous for our bodies," explains Schaub.

But there are some ways to grill safer. One is to simply avoid burning or searing meats. Cooking food longer at lower temperatures is best.

"To also cut down on carcinogens you can decrease the amount of time that the food is actually on the grill," adds Schaub. "Precook the meat in either the oven or the microwave then finish it up on the grill just to give it a little bit of crispness and a little bit of flavor."

Another tip is to choose leaner cuts.

"Skinless chicken or lean beef or pork," suggests Schaub. "Decreasing the amount of fat that's able to drip down onto the coals also will decrease your carcinogens."

And finally, remember that just meat cooked on the grill can form cancer-causing chemicals other foods pose no risk.

"You really don't get carcinogen development when you grill fruits and vegetables and those can be a nice, flavorful accompaniment to a low-fat piece of meat for a meal," adds Schaub.

What about fish? Can it too develop carcinogens on the grill? Experts say 'yes,' red meat, chicken, fish anything that contains protein can develop carcinogens.

So remember don't char your meat and lower the temperature of your grill. Also, cutting meats up and skewering them can cut down on their time on the grill meaning less carcinogens. And finally, flipping foods frequently can help prevent the chemicals from forming.

For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.

Baylor Health Care System 2001 Bryan St., Ste. 2200 Dallas, TX 75201 United States http://www.BaylorHealth.com

[TornadoAlley3]

Is anything NOT linked to cancer?

[TornadoAlley3]

[mylife]

I think I will BBQ today just because this woman says it is bad

[Wolfie]

“This just in! Saliva causes stomache cancer. But only when swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.”

- George Carlin

[Red Badger]

Not this s#!7 again..................

[bigfootbob]

Probably, but it will have to do with an “alternative” lifestyle, you can bet you bottom dollar.

[LaineyDee]

"But we have to be aware that it can increase our risk of cancer if we eat grilled meats too often."

I don't think this is as much of a problem as it is all the antibiotics and chemicals in the MEAT itself. Sheesh.

[mylife]

[HungarianGypsy]

**Freeper Kitchen Ping**

[bill1952]

>But there are some ways to grill safer. One is to simply avoid burning or searing meats. Cooking food longer at lower temperatures is best.

LOL! Yeah baby, but that is not "grilling" that is something else entirely.

Why don't you just go all the way and eat it raw?

two level sarcasm intended

[Alter Kaker]

I think I will BBQ today just because this woman says it is bad

No, this woman says BBQ (low temp, long duration cooking) is good, and grilling is bad. She's actually right too -- nitrosamine presence in grilled meat has been known for years.

[monkapotamus]

"I think I will BBQ today just because this woman says it is bad"

Actually barbecue probably wouldn't be a problem.

[mylife]

Why don't you just go all the way and eat it raw?

[mylife]

Quite right

[farlander]

Technically, no, it just depends on quantity. In lab tests, mice develop cancer given enough just about of anything, sugar, etc.

[TheBattman]

bump 4 later

[darkangel82]

That looks good, minus the broccoli of course.

[mylife]

Pittsburg steak ping

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"Is Grilling Linked To Cancer?"

I dunno, but it is linked to backyard family activities and fun.

[mylife]

Gotta love grilled lamb!

[joebuck]

A world without BBQ Steaks, Ribs and Chicken is not a world I want to live in.

[Leisler]

What’s that stuff below the ribs and next to the rice?

[Leisler]

What’s that stuff below the ribs and next to the rice?

[Gabz]

Microwave a burger before putting it on the grill?

This dingbat obviously knows nothing about good food or real cooking.

[FlingWingFlyer]

The is why the only cavemen left on the planet are those four guys on the GEICO commercials. All the rest died from eathing “grilled” meat. Sad.

[mylife]

Got me L0L

[humblegunner]

What’s that stuff below the ribs and next to the rice?

Colorful decorations, not intended for human consumption.

[KoRn]

Same here. I'm in double trouble, because I'm doing a "Beer Can Chicken". Not only will my family get cancer, but we will get liver damage to go with it!!

Beer Can Chicken is awesome!!!

[CaptRon]

In the last 10 minutes on FR I have learned that walking is worse for the environment than driving and grilling causes cancer.

Why don't we just hand out the cyanide capsules since it seems that no human activity can come to any good.

Geez.

[CaptRon]

And it just looks cool!

[Leisler]

Colorful decorations...

No Sheet! Every freek'n restaurant they try to palm that stuff on me. But, I know what's going on. They've just thieved me out of meat and are just trying to fluff up the void where the other meat is supposed to be. I do a work around and order the proper amount and they start babbling on about that being 'extra' when in fact it is what it is supposed to be. They say people eat the stuff and I say give it to them and give me thems peoples meat. I never get anywhere though. Vegan commies shoving that stuff....

[cynwoody]

Why don't we just hand out the cyanide capsules since it seems that no human activity can come to any good.

Geez.

An Earth Without People

[listenhillary]

in ur belly causing cancer AAARGG!!!!

[halfright]

Dummy, you forgot the GO Weber chant..They will pry the Happy Hooker(TM) from my cold dead hand.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Well, if that’s the case, I’m gonna die happy!
I ain’t given up my Pittsburgh style steaks for nuttin!
Ms.B

[mylife]

W00t! Beercan chicken rocks!

[Xenalyte]

You know what?

I so very much do NOT care.

[dakine]

You must already be dead...

[Xenalyte]

Buncha cancer-ridden drunks, y’all are. So save me some a that chicken! ;)

[mylife]

L0L! I cant blame ya

[ProtectOurFreedom]

On a related note, I saw the authors of this book on a TV show a couple weeks ago. Looks like a great book. And I don't think the authors mention cancer once!

[doorgunner69]

ROTFLMAO!!

That is just too good............

[MarkL]

Yeah, but a nicely grilled rib eye, done to medium rare perfection, with just a bit of salt, is worth cancer.

Mark

[mysterio]

Smokers warned you. Take that grill inside. I don’t want to have to breathe in your secondhand charcoal fatcancervapor. Your right to grill ends at my nose.

[Barnacle]

Is Grilling Linked To Cancer?

I suddenly could not give a damn if it is.

[sticker]

al gore

[Barnacle]

Is anything NOT linked to cancer

Yes... Oatmeal. That's why I've eaten nothing but oatmeal for the last 14 years.

[Barnacle]

Gotta love grilled lamb!

Especially when marinated in herbs and olive oil.

[Barnacle]

A world without BBQ Steaks, Ribs and Chicken is not a world I want to live in.

If you give up those things, you might not live longer, it will just feel as if you did.