Does grilling contribute to cancer?

FanOfFanboys · September 2012

So someone told me the other day that grilling can contribute or cause cancer. So I decided to look online and there are tons of reputable sites that say grilling can create carcinogen that can create cancer. Anyone heard of this? I'm not going to stop grilling, and I assume that it causes it contributes in a very very small amount. Hoping someone on here can elaborate or explain more what exactly happens.

travisstrick · September 2012

If true then I'm already dead.

Griffin · September 2012

I remember when threads about that started popping up. I never paid much attention to them because I'm not going to stop.

Can't member what comedian originally said this, or even if it was a comedian, but "Studies show that tests cause cancer."

GreenhawK · September 2012

What doesn't cause cancer these days?

I've been hearing it for years. I haven't read any specifics on it, but I would think that if you are burning clean you should be ok for the most part. I would think that they heavier the smoke the more "contaminated" your food would be. That's just my thoughts. No real scientific data.

I'm not going to stop either.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · September 2012

the evidence says It does. There is also evidence that marinating in liquid before the cook basically negates the carcinogens created by charcoal grilling.

I've known about it for years............never stopped, never will

Mickey · September 2012

Not yet.

MrCookingNurse · September 2012

Plenty of stuff that says it does.... But as mentioned above, what doesn't "cause" cancer these days.

fishlessman · September 2012

its really bad, grilled foods cause cancer, sitting in the sun grilling foods causes cancer, drinking an adult beverage while sitting in the sun grilling food causes cancer. its better to stay indoors out of the sun eating lettuce and cantaloupe and die from food poisoning

Skiddymarker · September 2012

Have had this bookmarked, when this topic comes up, always makes me feel good. One pager, worth the read. (If you don't like the possible conclusion, wisely choose your source)

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2519/does-barbecuing-cause-cancer

Focker · September 2012

HCAs and PAHs are bad.

Other than marinating as mentioned, here are some other ways to reduce them if concerned.

1. Cook at a lower temp

2. Cook indirect (char has high HCAs and meat drippings that burn release PAHs in the smoke that adhere to the meat)

3. Do not overcook meats (higher HCAs)

4. Grill veggies and fruits (no HCAs)

5. Decrease red meat consumption

6. Use leaner cuts (less drippings = less PAHs)

Lastly and most importantly, get checked if you are at the proper age (colonoscopy). Regardless if you're an avid griller.

Get those polyps removed early.

I'd be more alert if one had a genetic history to any type of GI cancer.

Hillbilly-Hightech · September 2012

well, according to the article that Skiddymarker posted, the PCAs occur from the charring, and HCAs occur in meat naturally. So basically, you can cook your meat in the oven or on the stove & decrease your PCAs, but because you're still eating meat, you're still geting HCAs anyway.

Then there's the mercury in fish, the ecoli in meats & veggies (spinach, etc), the liver damage from the adult beverages we consume while using the Egg, the cigars / cigarettes many of you smoke... oh, and let's not forget the electro-magnetic frequency generated by your cellphone which you hold right next to your brain... and then there's the bombardment of your food w/ micro wave frequency (when cooking in a microwave).... the carcinogens in smog / smoke / exhaust, the electro-magnetic frequencies bombarding you from your TVs, computers, electric blankets, electric razors / toothbrushes / drills, etc. ETC... ETC... ETC...

Methinks I'll just go live in a bubble (though, later it'll probably come out that the material the bubble was made out of causes cancer) =))

Skiddymarker · September 2012

Hillbilly-Hightech says "Methinks I'll just go live in a bubble (though, later it'll probably come out that the material the bubble was made out of causes cancer)"

PURRFECT, just PURRFECT Made me laugh - Thanks!

cspearce2 · September 2012

Great Article...Still not going to cut off the best parts of the cook!

gerhardk · September 2012

I think everything gives you cancer, sunlight, darkness, eating, not eating, beer, wine, not consuming beer or wine, coffee, tea, breathing......

Just do everything in moderation and you'll have as good a chance as the next guy to stay healthy.

Gerhard

nolaegghead · September 2012

Living is the leading cause of death. Make it count and damn the PAHs and HCAs!

FanOfFanboys · September 2012

A lot of the stuff listed here (charring is what has the carcinogen, marinade and/or baking negates, over cooking increases, etc) is what most of the sites said. None implied you will get cancer just that you get carcinogens from grilling and that carcinogens can lead to cancer. I figured was negligible in vast majority of the population. I gotta imagine worst case is someone who is predisposed (is that possible?) to get cancer is the person who would want to avoid charring their food more than the rest if the population.

FanOfFanboys · September 2012

Skiddymarker said:

Have had this bookmarked, when this topic comes up, always makes me feel good. One pager, worth the read. (If you don't like the possible conclusion, wisely choose your source)

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2519/does-barbecuing-cause-cancer

What is said here is basically exactly what every single site I read says too. They all had same disclosure, same info, etc. and they all basically said no one really knows to what level it impacts your possibility to get cancer would be. Could be a fraction of 1%. No one knows at this point.