Barbecue, plancha, brazier… Outdoor cooking, with friends, is a very popular activity in the summer. However, it is important to consider whether this practice can be harmful to health. Indeed, when cooking food, potentially dangerous substances can be formed, in particular chemical compounds called PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). What about the barbecue in particular?
- Yes, barbecue CAN be harmful to your health
Eating grilled foods on a regular basis may increase the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon, lung, and breast cancer. This is due to PAHs that form when fats and meat juices flow over the coals, producing smoke that contains these potentially harmful substances.
2. How to make a healthy barbecue? Good practices to have to avoid burning your food
To avoid the formation of these dangerous substances, it is important to control the cooking. It is recommended to cook the food over medium heat and to turn the meat frequently to prevent it from burning. It is also important not to let the food cook too long and not to burn it. Finally, it is advisable to remove the blackened parts before consuming the food. What you have to remember is that you have to avoid the flames! The juice, the fat from the cooking which falls into the embers ignites and that is where carcinogenic compounds can form.
To reduce the risk of PAH formation, it is advisable to use a barbecue with a lid in order to limit the supply of oxygen and therefore the appearance of flames. Barbecue & Co, The barbecue specialist in France to use natural charcoal rather than chemically treated charcoal, which may contain potentially hazardous substances.
If you prefer open cooking barbecues, there are also vertical cooking barbecues. The hearth, the coal is horizontal, behind your cooking. Thus, the juices and cooking fats fall into a collection tray and not on the embers which ignite it. At Barbecue & Co, you will find barbecues with a lid and vertical cooking for a successful summer!
In conclusion, barbecues can be harmful to health if the food is cooked at high temperatures and if good practices are not followed. It is therefore important to master cooking by using the right equipment and avoiding burning the food. By following these simple recommendations, it is possible to enjoy summer and barbecues without endangering his health.
