| It’s summer and we all love to grill. Lots of us | | | | burgers, tofu, quesadillas and even pizza. You could |
| grill in the winter as well, that’s how much we | | | | also precook meat, poultry, and fish in an oven or |
| love it. Now we hear cancer researchers are snooping | | | | microwave and then grill just for flavor. Chopping |
| around our love affair with grilling foods. If you are | | | | foods up into small pieces or making kebabs speeds |
| like most of us, when you hear the word cancer | | | | up the cooking process so that the food spends less |
| your ears perk up. So are grilling those beloved | | | | time on the grill. Also cooking food at a lower |
| hamburgers and hotdogs a threat to your health? | | | | temperature by raising the grill rack a few inches |
| From what I understand, cancer researchers have | | | | might be helpful. New research suggests that flipping |
| found that grilling red meat, poultry, and fish causes | | | | foods once per minute speeds up the cooking |
| the formation of carcinogenic compounds called | | | | process, keeps meat from burning, and still |
| HCA’s (heterocyclic amine). And, when fat | | | | effectively kills bacteria. If you punch holes in foil to |
| from our grilling cuisine drips onto hot coals, another | | | | either wrap food or cover the grill food will drain but |
| group of cancer-causing substances is formed. These | | | | will inhibit contact with the flame. Be sure to trim fat, |
| are PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) | | | | which can drip into flames and cause flare-ups. Before |
| which are deposited onto the food through the | | | | eating, remove all charred or burnt pieces. |
| smoke and flames. | | | | So while the researchers are busy researching, |
| The good news is, that researchers actually strongly | | | | let’s enjoy our summer and grill using |
| disagree whether or not eating grilled foods actually | | | | precautions. It just wouldn’t be right to have |
| pose a significant health risk. HCA’s have been | | | | to give up grilling. Here are some formulas to make a |
| linked to increased risk of cancers of the breast, | | | | quick marinade adding flavors of your choice. Makes |
| colon, stomach, and prostrate, however, most of the | | | | 4 servings. |
| evidence is based only on animal studies not humans. | | | | 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp oil |
| So what should we do when the experts | | | | ΒΌ c liquid, like vinegar or juice |
| don’t agree? Maybe it makes the most sense | | | | 1 tsp dried herbs or 1 Tbsp fresh chopped |
| to take some extra precautions when grilling rather | | | | 1-2 cloves crushed garlic |
| than to give up one of the greatest gifts of summer. | | | | Asian: Sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic |
| There are a few things we can do to minimize our | | | | Italian: olive oil, red wine vinegar, ginger, garlic |
| exposure to carcinogens. The most effective way | | | | Southwest: oil, lime and orange juice, chile powder, |
| would be to marinate foods before grilling. Even brief | | | | garlic |
| marinating helps. In some studies, marinades have | | | | Remember you want vitamin C, vitamin E and the |
| been found to reduce the amount of HCA’s | | | | naturally-occurring compounds in herbs and spices |
| formed by as much as 92 to 99 percent. Marinades | | | | that have those cancer-fighting properties. Also keep |
| may act as a barrier keeping flames from directly | | | | in mind that enzymes are present naturally in raw |
| touching the meat. The ingredients within the | | | | foods that we eat. When we cook food we often |
| marinade may also offer protection. Lots of | | | | destroy these enzymes. Enzymes break down food |
| marinades contain vitamin C, vitamin E and | | | | into basic components so that the body can absorb |
| naturally-occurring compounds in herbs and spices | | | | nutrients necessary for building cells, tissues, and |
| that have cancer-fighting properties. | | | | organs. That’s why it is so important to |
| Some other ways to limit the formation of | | | | provide the body with vital enzymes. |
| carcinogens would be to try grilling foods that pose | | | | Happy Grilling! |
| less risk. Try foods like vegetables, fruits, veggie | | | | |