Clipping Board » Illness Enters through Mouth ─ The information that has been made public is often just the tip of the iceberg...
February 17, 2014, Xinhua News Network
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a three-year study with shocking results: the toxicity of eating grilled food is equivalent to smoking. Research shows that one fried chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes, and one skewer of grilled lamb is as toxic as 20 cigarettes. Consuming grilled and fried foods can easily induce stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and other diseases. Grilled food poses significant health risks, especially for children. Recently, over 550 health experts and organizations from all 50 U.S. states issued a joint letter targeting the American fast-food giant McDonald's, urging it to "stop promoting junk food to children." They claimed that foods like French fries and fried chicken legs have contributed to the rising number of children in the U.S. suffering from diabetes and heart disease. Experts point out that to reduce the harm caused by grilled and fried foods, people should try to eat less or avoid such foods altogether while also ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet.
The WHO's three-year study revealed that the toxicity of eating grilled food is comparable to smoking. Research indicates that one grilled chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes, and one skewer of grilled lamb is as toxic as 20 cigarettes.
The study found that a single chicken wing or lamb skewer cooked over an open flame contains at least 400 types of carcinogens, such as benzopyrene and tetramethylbenzene, with benzopyrene being the most harmful. Benzopyrene can enter the body through digestion when consuming grilled meat or through inhalation of smoke from grilling. It accumulates in the body and can trigger stomach and intestinal cancers. Another carcinogen, heterocyclic amines, has been shown in animal experiments to cause breast and colon cancers. Relevant data indicates that women who frequently eat grilled foods are twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who rarely consume them. During the preparation of grilled foods, additives like nitrites and ethyl maltol are often added to the meat. Cooking meat directly over high heat not only destroys vitamins and amino acids but also denatures proteins and increases the risk of parasitic infections.
When oily foods are repeatedly heated at high temperatures, their unsaturated fatty acids produce highly toxic polymers. Additionally, most fried foods contain high concentrations of acrylamide, a moderately toxic substance that can irritate the eyes and skin. Acrylamide can be absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract, and digestive system, accumulating in the body and forming carcinogens. Many fried foods also contain nitrites for preservation and color enhancement, and excessive consumption may increase cancer risks.
"Western Fast Food" May Be Tempting, But It’s Unsuitable for Children
One fried chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes. Foods like French fries and fried chicken legs are notorious for their high calories, high fat, and low dietary fiber content, offering no nutritional value while posing severe health risks. Taking McDonald's as an example, an adult's daily caloric requirement is around 2,000 calories, but a single McDonald's meal can already approach that amount.
"To prevent the nation’s largest health crisis, we urge you to stop promoting junk food to children." Recently, over 550 health experts and organizations from all 50 U.S. states sent a joint letter targeting McDonald's, the American fast-food giant. These experts and organizations argue that the increasing prevalence of diabetes and heart disease among American children is linked to the main products of fast-food chains like McDonald's, such as French fries and fried chicken legs, which severely endanger children's health. In the U.S., 30% of adults are overweight, and 9 million children aged 6 to 19 are overweight. The primary cause of obesity is prolonged consumption of high-fat foods. Additionally, 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases and 70% of cardiovascular diseases are related to obesity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three children may develop Type 2 diabetes in the future.In China, "Western fast food" is hijacking people's appetites while also harming their health, especially children's. According to the "Analysis Data on the Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption Frequency and Obesity Rates Among Children in China's Four Major Cities" released by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, frequent consumption of "Western fast food" is an independent factor contributing to childhood obesity, leading to a series of health problems. Studies have found that people who regularly eat fried foods are more prone to fatigue, and children's immunity may decline, making them more susceptible to colds. These foods generally lack fiber, which can lead to constipation and other digestive issues. High-fat content can affect brain biochemical activity, creating a dependency on such foods. Eating "Western fast food" twice a week increases cravings for these foods, thereby impacting health.
Scientific Pairing Reduces Harm, Balanced Nutrition Ensures Health
While grilled and fried foods are harmful to health, their deliciousness makes them hard to resist. For enthusiasts, how can they enjoy both taste and health?
Yu Kang, Deputy Director of the Clinical Nutrition Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, stated that given China's circumstances, completely banning "Western fast food" or keeping people away from grilled foods is unrealistic. "As long as it's not frequent, eating them occasionally is not a big issue." For children, parents should guide them properly—avoiding such foods when possible. He suggested that China's "Western fast food" should make certain improvements, reducing fried foods and increasing fresh fruits and vegetables. Li Keji, a professor at the Department of Nutrition at Peking University's School of Public Health, pointed out that diet must achieve "intake-output balance," meaning a balance between nutrient intake and calorie expenditure. He recommended consuming more plant and animal proteins, such as soy products, lean meat, fish, shrimp, dairy, eggs, and fruits and vegetables.
Experts advise that when eating grilled or fried foods, consuming more cooling foods and raw vegetables can help reduce internal heat and promote the excretion of carcinogens. Examples include seaweed, tofu, radishes, and mushrooms, which provide antioxidants, anti-cancer components, and dietary fiber to aid carcinogen elimination. When eating grilled meat, it's best to pair it with fresh raw vegetables and fruits. Fresh leafy greens like lettuce, water spinach, tomatoes, white radishes, and green peppers, as well as fruits like apples, kiwis, and lemons, are rich in vitamins C and E. Ample vitamin C can reduce the production of carcinogenic nitrosamines, while vitamin E has strong antioxidant effects. Scientific pairing can mitigate the drawbacks of eating grilled foods.
Source: http://tj. sina. com. cn/ news/ zhzx/ 2014- 02- 17/ 135568167. html
WHO: One Fried Chicken Leg Equals 60 Cigarettes in Toxicity
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a three-year study with shocking results: the toxicity of eating grilled food is equivalent to smoking. Research shows that one fried chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes, and one skewer of grilled lamb is as toxic as 20 cigarettes. Consuming grilled and fried foods can easily induce stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and other diseases. Grilled food poses significant health risks, especially for children. Recently, over 550 health experts and organizations from all 50 U.S. states issued a joint letter targeting the American fast-food giant McDonald's, urging it to "stop promoting junk food to children." They claimed that foods like French fries and fried chicken legs have contributed to the rising number of children in the U.S. suffering from diabetes and heart disease. Experts point out that to reduce the harm caused by grilled and fried foods, people should try to eat less or avoid such foods altogether while also ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet.
The WHO's three-year study revealed that the toxicity of eating grilled food is comparable to smoking. Research indicates that one grilled chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes, and one skewer of grilled lamb is as toxic as 20 cigarettes.
The study found that a single chicken wing or lamb skewer cooked over an open flame contains at least 400 types of carcinogens, such as benzopyrene and tetramethylbenzene, with benzopyrene being the most harmful. Benzopyrene can enter the body through digestion when consuming grilled meat or through inhalation of smoke from grilling. It accumulates in the body and can trigger stomach and intestinal cancers. Another carcinogen, heterocyclic amines, has been shown in animal experiments to cause breast and colon cancers. Relevant data indicates that women who frequently eat grilled foods are twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who rarely consume them. During the preparation of grilled foods, additives like nitrites and ethyl maltol are often added to the meat. Cooking meat directly over high heat not only destroys vitamins and amino acids but also denatures proteins and increases the risk of parasitic infections.
When oily foods are repeatedly heated at high temperatures, their unsaturated fatty acids produce highly toxic polymers. Additionally, most fried foods contain high concentrations of acrylamide, a moderately toxic substance that can irritate the eyes and skin. Acrylamide can be absorbed through the skin, respiratory tract, and digestive system, accumulating in the body and forming carcinogens. Many fried foods also contain nitrites for preservation and color enhancement, and excessive consumption may increase cancer risks.
"Western Fast Food" May Be Tempting, But It’s Unsuitable for Children
One fried chicken leg is as toxic as 60 cigarettes. Foods like French fries and fried chicken legs are notorious for their high calories, high fat, and low dietary fiber content, offering no nutritional value while posing severe health risks. Taking McDonald's as an example, an adult's daily caloric requirement is around 2,000 calories, but a single McDonald's meal can already approach that amount.
"To prevent the nation’s largest health crisis, we urge you to stop promoting junk food to children." Recently, over 550 health experts and organizations from all 50 U.S. states sent a joint letter targeting McDonald's, the American fast-food giant. These experts and organizations argue that the increasing prevalence of diabetes and heart disease among American children is linked to the main products of fast-food chains like McDonald's, such as French fries and fried chicken legs, which severely endanger children's health. In the U.S., 30% of adults are overweight, and 9 million children aged 6 to 19 are overweight. The primary cause of obesity is prolonged consumption of high-fat foods. Additionally, 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases and 70% of cardiovascular diseases are related to obesity. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three children may develop Type 2 diabetes in the future.In China, "Western fast food" is hijacking people's appetites while also harming their health, especially children's. According to the "Analysis Data on the Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption Frequency and Obesity Rates Among Children in China's Four Major Cities" released by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, frequent consumption of "Western fast food" is an independent factor contributing to childhood obesity, leading to a series of health problems. Studies have found that people who regularly eat fried foods are more prone to fatigue, and children's immunity may decline, making them more susceptible to colds. These foods generally lack fiber, which can lead to constipation and other digestive issues. High-fat content can affect brain biochemical activity, creating a dependency on such foods. Eating "Western fast food" twice a week increases cravings for these foods, thereby impacting health.
Scientific Pairing Reduces Harm, Balanced Nutrition Ensures Health
While grilled and fried foods are harmful to health, their deliciousness makes them hard to resist. For enthusiasts, how can they enjoy both taste and health?
Yu Kang, Deputy Director of the Clinical Nutrition Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, stated that given China's circumstances, completely banning "Western fast food" or keeping people away from grilled foods is unrealistic. "As long as it's not frequent, eating them occasionally is not a big issue." For children, parents should guide them properly—avoiding such foods when possible. He suggested that China's "Western fast food" should make certain improvements, reducing fried foods and increasing fresh fruits and vegetables. Li Keji, a professor at the Department of Nutrition at Peking University's School of Public Health, pointed out that diet must achieve "intake-output balance," meaning a balance between nutrient intake and calorie expenditure. He recommended consuming more plant and animal proteins, such as soy products, lean meat, fish, shrimp, dairy, eggs, and fruits and vegetables.
Experts advise that when eating grilled or fried foods, consuming more cooling foods and raw vegetables can help reduce internal heat and promote the excretion of carcinogens. Examples include seaweed, tofu, radishes, and mushrooms, which provide antioxidants, anti-cancer components, and dietary fiber to aid carcinogen elimination. When eating grilled meat, it's best to pair it with fresh raw vegetables and fruits. Fresh leafy greens like lettuce, water spinach, tomatoes, white radishes, and green peppers, as well as fruits like apples, kiwis, and lemons, are rich in vitamins C and E. Ample vitamin C can reduce the production of carcinogenic nitrosamines, while vitamin E has strong antioxidant effects. Scientific pairing can mitigate the drawbacks of eating grilled foods.
Source: http://tj. sina. com. cn/ news/ zhzx/ 2014- 02- 17/ 135568167. html