Cooking with tap water is not only poisonous but also carcinogenic!
Aunt Li is an ordinary housewife, and her family has always used tap water to cook, and she has not seen any problems for so many years.
But one day, she saw an article in her circle of friends, saying that tap water contains chlorine, and chlorine gas is produced when cooking, which is a gas harmful to the body. The article also said that cooking rice with tap water for a long time will increase the risk of esophageal cancer, kidney stones and other diseases.
She suddenly felt frightened, could it be that the tap water really couldn't be used?
1: How does chlorine in tap water cause cancer?
Chlorine in tap water is added by the water plant for disinfection.
In order to ensure the safety and hygiene of water quality, a certain amount of chlorine will be added to the water to kill the bacteria and microorganisms that may be present. This practice is in line with international and national standards, and the chlorine content in tap water should not exceed 4 milligrams per liter.
However, chlorine in tap water is not completely harmless. When tap water is exposed to high temperatures, such as when cooking rice, chlorine gas is broken down or volatilized to form chloride ions, chlorate and oxygen. These substances have strong oxidizing properties and can react with organic matter in water to produce some carcinogens, such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etc.
These carcinogens can remain in the meal, enter the human body, cause damage to organs such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, etc., and increase the risk of cancer. According to a study, people who drink chlorinated water for a long time have 2.6 times the incidence of esophageal cancer and 1.8 times the incidence of stomach cancer. Another study also found that chlorinated water was associated with liver cancer, kidney cancer, brace cancer, etc.
Therefore, chlorine in tap water is a potential carcinogenic factor and cannot be ignored.
Two: In addition to tap water, these waters can also cause cancer!
You may think that as long as you don't cook rice with tap water, you can avoid the risk of causing cancer. But in fact, you still have a lot of water misconceptions, which may be secretly harming your health.
First of all, there is the overnight water. Many people will put boiled water in a kettle and drink it the next day in order to save trouble. However, it is very unhygienic to do so.
Because, the oxygen in the overnight water will be consumed in large quantities, causing the water quality to become acidic, and the bacteria in the water will also multiply in large numbers, producing some toxic and harmful substances, such as nitrite, nitrate, etc. These substances can destroy the body's hemoglobin, cause a lack of oxygen, and can also induce cancer. Therefore, do not drink water overnight, let alone use it for cooking.
Secondly, there is a thousand boiling waters. In order to save energy, some people will boil the water and then boil it, and repeat it many times. However, doing so will increase the concentration of non-volatile chemicals in the water, such as heavy metals, calcium, magnesium, etc., and deposit on the inner wall of the kettle, forming scale.
These substances can cause damage to the body's kidneys, bones, nerves, etc., and also increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, do not drink the boiling water, let alone use it for cooking.
Finally, there is the scalding water. Many people like to drink hot water, thinking that it can warm the stomach, disinfect and detoxify. However, if the temperature of the water exceeds 65°C, it can cause burns to the mucous membrane of the esophagus, causing inflammation, growth, scarring, and even precancerous lesions.
The World Health Organization has classified hot beverages above 65°C as a Group 2A carcinogen, that is, it may be carcinogenic to humans. Therefore, do not drink scalding water, let alone use it for cooking.
3. How can I drink safe and healthy water?
First, choose the right water source. Although the tap water has been disinfected, it may be polluted by the pipeline or react with the organic matter in the water during the transportation process, producing some harmful substances.
Therefore, it is best to use a water purifier or mineral water to cook rice, which can ensure the purity and safety of the water. If you don't have the conditions, you can also use tap water, but you should leave it for a period of time to allow the chlorine gas to volatilize and then boil, which can reduce the harm of chlorine.
Second, control the temperature of the water. The temperature of the water should not be too high, otherwise it will cause damage to the esophageal mucosa and increase the risk of cancer.
Generally speaking, the temperature of the water is around 50°C, which can not only kill bacteria, but also protect the mucous membrane. If you like to drink hot water, you can also rinse your mouth with warm water first and drink it slowly to avoid burns.
Finally, drink plenty of fluids. Water is an important part of the human body, and it is necessary to ensure adequate water intake every day in order to maintain normal new hospital units and metabolic functions. In general, adults drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, about 1.5-2 liters.
However, do not drink too much water, otherwise it can lead to water poisoning, affect electrolyte balance, and even be life-threatening. Therefore, according to your physical condition, replenish water in the right amount at the right time, and don't blindly follow the trend.
What do you think about this? Feel free to express your views in the comment section.
