Uncle Zhang likes to add a little oyster sauce when cooking, and he always says that this will make the dishes more delicious.
Uncle Zhang is a master cook, and he likes to put some oyster sauce on every stir-fry, saying that it tastes more delicious.
But recently, my wife listened to the rumors of the neighbors that oyster sauce can cause cancer, so like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, she resolutely opposes Uncle Zhang's use of oyster sauce again. The old couple didn't quarrel a lot about this.
Daughter Xiaofang came home from vacation, and as soon as she entered the door, she felt that the atmosphere at home was not quite right.
After learning the ins and outs of the matter, she smiled and said to her parents, "Mom and Dad, don't fight. Whether oyster sauce causes cancer or not is not up to the neighbors. Gotta look at this scientifically! In fact, as long as you eat it in moderation and choose a regular brand, there will be no problem. ”
In recent years, the incidence of cancer in China has been increasing year by year, which is indeed worrying. As a traditional Chinese condiment, oyster sauce is loved by chefs and housewives because of its unique taste.
However, many people believe that the high incidence of cancer is related to oyster sauce, so what is going on?
01
Does oyster sauce cause cancer
In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy about whether oyster sauce causes cancer. Some believe that the monosodium glutamate and aflatoxin in oyster sauce are the main culprits in carcinogenesis.
Scientific studies have confirmed that monosodium glutamate does not cause cancer in humans. Instead, it is a widely used condiment worldwide and is considered safe.
Even at high temperatures, monosodium glutamate may be converted to monosodium pyroglutamate, but this substance is not carcinogenic, it just loses its umami taste.
In addition, aflatoxin is indeed a strong carcinogen and is mainly found in moldy foods.
However, the aflatoxin content in oyster sauce is not high and is only produced if the oyster sauce is not stored properly and mildew. Therefore, as long as we use and preserve oyster sauce correctly, the production of aflatoxin can be avoided.
02
Safety of other seasonings
MSG: The main ingredient of MSG is monosodium glutamate, which is similar to the composition found in oyster sauce. Therefore, consuming MSG in moderation is harmless to most people.
However, excessive consumption may cause some uncomfortable symptoms like headache, nausea, etc. Therefore, it is recommended to control the dosage when using MSG.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce is another common condiment that has been suggested to produce the carcinogen 4-methylimidazole.
However, current studies have shown that the carcinogenicity of 4-methylimidazole to animals is inconclusive, and the amount in soy sauce is extremely low, so it does not cause harm to humans.
Ginger: Ginger is a commonly used seasoning and herb that has the effect of warding off cold and warming the stomach.
Although ginger contains safrole and other substances that may cause cancer, it will not cause harm to the human body when consumed daily. Therefore, we can safely use ginger in our cooking.
Vinegar: Vinegar is an ancient condiment that is rich in amino acids and nutrients. It has a variety of effects such as antibacterial, digestive aid, and regulating the body's acid-base balance.
Vinegar is good for your health when consumed in moderation and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, excessive consumption may cause irritation to the gastric mucosa, so moderate consumption is recommended.
03
Other health hazards in the kitchen
Overnight leftovers may produce carcinogens. Leftovers are prone to bacteria growth and produce harmful substances such as nitrite during the preservation process, and long-term consumption may increase the risk of cancer.
Therefore, it is advisable to try to avoid overnight leftovers, especially perishable foods such as leafy greens, seafood, and mushrooms. If there are indeed leftovers that need to be disposed of, it is best to heat them to a boil before eating them to reduce harmful substances.
Broken rice cooker liners can also pose a health risk. If the aluminum liner of the rice cooker comes into direct contact with the rice, it may cause the aluminum ions to dissolve and enter the food, and long-term consumption may affect human health.
Therefore, if you find that the coating of the inner liner of the rice cooker is broken or peeling off, you should replace the rice cooker with a new one in time to ensure food safety.
The way utensils are stored may also affect health. If the utensils are stacked or left in a humid environment for a long time, it is easy to breed germs and molds, such as E. coli, salmonella and aflatoxin.
Therefore, it is advisable to set the utensils upright and drain well to avoid bacterial growth.
04
Carcinogenic cooking habits
When the oil temperature is too high, stir-frying may produce harmful substances such as acrylamide, which is a potential carcinogen.
Therefore, it is recommended to control the oil temperature in the medium and low temperature range during the cooking process, and try to avoid high-temperature cooking methods such as stir-frying to reduce the production of harmful substances.
Not turning on the range hood when stir-frying is also a bad habit. Oil smoke contains a variety of harmful substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and formaldehyde, and long-term inhalation of these harmful substances may cause damage to the respiratory tract and increase the risk of cancer.
Repeated use of cooking oil may also increase the risk of cancer. Repeatedly heated cooking oil may produce strong carcinogens such as benzopyrene, and long-term consumption of such oil may cause serious effects on human health.
Healthy eating requires guidance from scientific knowledge and the right approach. In daily life, we should pay attention to the correct use and preservation of condiments to avoid health hazards caused by poor cooking habits.
Only in this way can we enjoy delicious food while protecting the health of ourselves and our families.