Is it true that barbecued food increases the risk of cancer?

Question

We were talking to a friend and was saying how much we enjoyed barbecued food, he was quite startled and replied "barbecued food increases the risk of cancer", i was just concerned and would like to find out if there is any truth in it!!!!!

Answer 1

I think there is alot of unjustified fear over food and cancer. u are probably a 1000 times more likely to get it from inhalation of particulates from the fire itself!
In terms of the actual food itself I would think it is most unlikely.
don't forget tho that if u balance with a nice healthy salad including plenty of brightly coloured veg, these contain anti-cancerous elements which are very very useful.
hope that helps.
hugs
xoxoxox
_______,-~-. ___.--.___ .-~-,_______
_______/ .- ,'__________`. -.\______
_______\ ` /`__________' \ '/______
________`-/___'a___a`___\-'________
_________|____,'(_)`.____|_________
_________\___( ._|_.)____/_________
__________.-`._______,'-.__________
________,'__,'___`F'___`.__`._______
_______/___/_____R_____\___\____
_____,'____/______I______\___`.___
___,'_____|______E_______|_____`._
__|_____,'|______N_______|`._____|
___`.__,'_.-\_____D______/-._`.__,'__
_________/_`.____S____,'__\_______
__.""-._,'______`._:_,'_____`.,-"".__
_/_,-._`_______)___(________'_,-.__\
(_(___`._____,'_____`.______,'___)_)
_\_\____\__,'________`.____/___/_/_

ps Teddy bear is a vegetarian.

Answer 2

The burnt portions of the meat are high in carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). There are studies that indicated that red meat could pose a notable increase in cancer risk. This has been attributed to the haemoglobin and myoglobin molecules which are found in red meat. These molecules, when ingested, trigger a process called nitrosation in the gut, which leads to the formation of N-nitroso compounds, compounds that combine with DNA, and alter it so that it is more likely to undergo harmful changes or mutations that increase the likelihood of cancer. Some studies have linked consumption of red meat with breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lymph node cancer.
Eating barbecueds foods is only 1 factor that can increase a person's susceptibility to cancer...there are more predisposing factors.

Answer 3

There was a "scare" in the summer of 2004. The idea was that the charred bits of food increased the risk of cancer. However, it wasn't a very representative survey and was generally panned by the medical critics.
Keep on grillin'

xxR

Answer 4

I heard somewhere that burnt toast may increase your risk of developing cancer so if barbequed food presents a similar risk i guess it is to do with the charred food.

Answer 5

the correct answer is that no-one really knows for sure. there are so many carcinogens in the world, that it's hard to know what really causes an individuals cancer. BUT there has been studies showing that charred or burnt foods are carcinogenic (causing cancer). i wouldn't worry too much though, nearly everything we touch, see and smell are apparently detrimental to our health. so live life!!!!

Answer 6

I heard that once, That the burnt black bits are bad for you and could increase the risk of cancer, also heard it applied to the black on burnt toast. That freaked me out cause my mum has her toast burnt to a cinder. Dont know what truth is in it.

Answer 7

if you believed all the stories about things giving you cancer, then everything in the world would cause cancer and everybody would be suffering, just get on and enjoy life

Answer 8

I read that when you barby the food,and it burns and blackens,the burnt stuff becomes carsonagenic(not sure if that's the right spelling),and carsonagenic means cancer forming,so i reckon that your mates right.

Answer 9

I have read that red meat burnt on metal can cause cancer in prone people(genes)

Answer 10

i think burnt food does, so if the food isnt too badly burnt it should be ok, and which cancer is this anyway

Answer 11

The black crusts are supposedly carcinogenic. Not being a mouse, I refuse to worry about it.