Is The Food Burned Triggering Cancer? This Is The Real Fact

Burned Food (Pexels/RDNE Stock Project)

JAKARTA - Foods cooked by burning or roasting are often a favorite of many people. The aroma and distinctive taste produced from the burning process make dishes such as satay, grilled chicken, or roast fish difficult to refuse.

However, behind this pleasure, there are concerns, is it true that all-burned food can cause cancer?

Reported by VOI from the WebMD page on Monday, December 30, 2024, when food is cooked at high temperatures, especially carbohydrates such as bread or potatoes, a chemical compound called acrylamide can be formed.

Some studies have shown that very high acrylamide levels can cause tumors in animals. However, studies in humans do not find strong evidence that acrylamides in food increases the risk of cancer. This means that the relationship between overly mature foods or cancers in humans is still inconclusive.

In addition, there is strong evidence linking the consumption of processed meat such as sausages, smoke meat, and ham to the risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meat as carcinogen Group 1, which means there is a strong relationship between consumption of processed meat and the risk of cancer.

Other ultra-process foods, such as canned foods, instant noodles, and soft drinks, may also increase the risk of cancer. However, the evidence linking this food to cancer is not as strong as evidence for processed meat.

A diet rich in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, and seeds can help reduce the risk of cancer. However, it is important to note that there is not a single type of super food that can completely prevent cancer.

According to experts, good nutrition relies more on overall diet, metabolic health, physical activity, and genetic factors.

"There is no solid evidence that just one meal can prevent cancer," said Christine Zoumas, a dietist and director of the Healthy Eating Program at the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

All cells in our bodies, including cancer cells, use sugar molecules (carbohydrates) as the main energy source. However, sugar is not the only source of energy. Cells can also use other nutrients, such as protein and fat, to grow.

"There is no evidence that simply by reducing sugar from diet, cancer will stop spreading," said Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, PhD, MPH, a nutrition epidemiologist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

"If cancer cells don't get sugar, they will start breaking other components of the energy source in the body." he continued.

Even so, scientists are researching whether a particular diet can slow tumor growth. For example, some preliminary evidence of trials on mice and humans suggests that a ketogenic diet, low carbohydrates and high fat can help slow the growth of several types of tumors if combined with standard cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.

Reducing sugar will not stop cancer growth, but preliminary evidence suggests that low-carb diets can increase the effectiveness of some cancer treatments.

In addition, although foods cooked by burning produce certain chemical compounds, scientific evidence of their direct relationship with cancer in humans is still not strong enough. By maintaining a balanced diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can still enjoy your favorite food without worrying too much.