Could Your Kitchen Be a Hidden "Cancer" Source? 5 Cooking Habits That May Be Putting You at RiskIn 2020, the global number of cancer cases reached 19.29 million, with China accounting for the highest number of new cancer cases at 4
Could Your Kitchen Be a Hidden "Cancer" Source? 5 Cooking Habits That May Be Putting You at Risk
In 2020, the global number of cancer cases reached 19.29 million, with China accounting for the highest number of new cancer cases at 4.57 million. While acknowledged risk factors include diet and lifestyle, you might be overlooking the seemingly simple act of "cooking" as a potential source of cancer risk. Today, we'll uncover common cooking habits that could impact your health and help you establish a first line of defense against cancer in your kitchen.
1. Is Your Rice Cooker Really Causing Cancer?
There are rumors circulating about rice cookers causing cancer, leading many to fear their use. These rumors stem from the coating on the inner pot. Most rice cookers use aluminum for their inner pots, and aluminum can leach out under acidic or high-temperature conditions, seeping into food. Excessive aluminum intake can harm the nervous system. To prevent aluminum leaching, rice cookers often have a coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as "Teflon."
While many worry about harmful substance release from this coating, Teflon only decomposes and releases unmetabolizable toxins when temperatures exceed 300C (572F). Under normal circumstances, rice cooker temperatures don't exceed 180C (356F), so there's no need to fret about coating decomposition or harmful substance release.
However, if you notice the rice cooker's inner pot coating peeling or scratched, it's advisable to discontinue use. A damaged coating increases the chance of food coming into contact with aluminum, leading to aluminum leaching into food and harming your health. Moreover, a damaged coating can more easily cause food to burn, producing acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound.
2. Should You Really Avoid Homemade Oil?
Besides rice cookers, homemade oil has been labeled a "carcinogen." In reality, homemade oil should be consumed with caution.
First, many small homemade oil workshops lack proper hygiene and rigorous raw material cleaning procedures, leading to potential contamination with aflatoxins in the extracted oil. Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens that can cause liver cancer, stomach cancer, and other types of cancer.
Second, these small workshops can't refine homemade oil, resulting in a higher content of impurities in the finished product. This not only affects the taste but also compromises safety.
Besides homemade oil, the following types of oils are also best consumed in moderation:
1. Reheated oil: Research shows that reheated oil contains acrolein, a carcinogenic compound. Repeated use drastically increases acrolein content. Additionally, reheated oil contains high amounts of trans fatty acids, contributing to obesity and increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease.
2. Long-term open oil: Long-term exposure to air can cause edible oil to oxidize. Even within the shelf life, it can easily spoil, become moldy, and harm your health.
3. Palm oil: A 2021 study published in Nature found that foods rich in palm oil promote cancer metastasis. Puff pastry, instant noodles, and puffed food commonly contain palm oil, so it's best to consume these with caution.
3. 5 "Cancer-Causing" Kitchen Habits: Have You Fallen Prey?
During cooking, many seemingly insignificant habits could severely impact your health, even triggering cancer. Pay close attention to the following five common cooking mistakes:
1. Turning off the range hood too early: Using a range hood while cooking is essential. Prolonged exposure to cooking fumes can lead to nasopharyngitis, tracheitis, and even lung cancer. It's recommended to turn on the range hood 20 seconds before cooking to prevent fumes from spreading and keep it running throughout the entire process. After cooking, keep it running for 1-3 minutes to remove residual fumes and minimize the harm they pose to your body.
2. Cooking multiple dishes in the same pan without washing it: After cooking one dish, residue and oil remain on the pan. If you don't clean the pan before cooking the next dish, it can easily cause the food to burn, producing carcinogenic compounds. Repeatedly heating leftover oil can also generate harmful substances. It's advisable to wash the pan after each dish before cooking the next one.
3. Excessive salt in cooking: The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents recommends a daily salt intake of 5g, but many people habitually add more salt to their cooking. Excessive salt intake not only raises blood pressure but also causes osteoporosis and increases the risk of stomach cancer. It's recommended to control salt usage and try using spices like onions, ginger, and garlic for flavoring.
4. Sharing a cutting board for raw and cooked food: Raw food carries bacteria, parasites, etc., which can easily transfer to cooked food through the cutting board, causing food poisoning. It's recommended to have separate cutting boards and knives for raw and cooked food.
5. Disorganized refrigerator storage: Many households treat their refrigerators as storage cabinets, mixing raw and cooked food, fruits and beverages. This can lead to Listeria contamination, resulting in food poisoning and even life-threatening situations. It's recommended to categorize food storage, separating raw and cooked items, and using containers or bags for preservation.
With the continuously increasing cancer incidence rate, cancer prevention awareness is growing. Besides genetic inheritance and environmental factors, incorrect cooking habits can also damage your health and even lead to cancer. We hope you carefully read this article and promptly correct any incorrect habits for a healthier future.
References:
1. "Shocking! Frequent Use of Rice Cookers Can Cause Cancer? Throw It Away If This Happens..." Family Doctor Online. 2023-11-10
2. "Toxic and Carcinogenic! It's Best to Avoid This Oil." Family Doctor Online. 2024-09-30
3. "5 Kitchen Habits That Can Cause Cancer in Your Family! Especially the First One, Many People Are Victims." Science and Technology China. 2023-08-18
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