With the arrival of summer, the use of barbecues increases: there are many people who like to grill outdoors, in company. But it is important to pay attention to the way the food is cooked.
The barbecue is always very popular: many people use it, especially with the arrival of summer. Outdoor barbecues are also a time to spend with friends.
But it is important to pay attention to how the food is cooked. The barbecue, in fact, risks being carcinogenic.
Why is barbecue food so good?
Food cooked on the barbecue is usually considered to be tastier. And there is a “scientific” explanation for this, namely the Maillard reaction. In fact, cooking is a chemical process capable of modifying food at the molecular level.
When meat is cooked using the grill, the released water evaporates until dry. At this point the heat will initiate a chemical process that will lead to the creation of a “crust” on the surface – this explains the crunchiness and greater flavor of the food cooked with the barbecue.
The risks of the barbecue
When using the barbecue, it is good to keep in mind that the way in which the heat from the grill reaches the food is very different from other types of cooking. This is a process known as conduction, whereby foods are cooked faster. This happens because of the “living flame” of the barbecue. The part of the food heated by the flame will be browned, while the sides and the top surface will cook by irradiation.
As stated previously, it is essential not to make certain mistakes when cooking food using the barbecue. We talked about the crunchiness of grilled foods – a feature that appeals to many. But, if excessively burned, the food develops carcinogenic chemicals, becoming dangerous for our body. One of the main risks is lung cancer.
The same goes for smoking. When food is cooked on the grill, smoke is released which makes the dish particularly tasty. According to surveys carried out by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), food that absorbs more smoke than it should can become dangerous to health. This is because smoke can also contain carcinogens. Studies on the link between smoking and cancer are now numerous.
In conclusion, the difficulty in cooking food using the barbecue should not be underestimated. Taking care not to burn the food too much and not let it absorb an excessive amount of smoke is essential for everyone’s health.