frying

Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Paul

Frying (along with grilling, roasting, and barbequing) beef, pork, poultry, and fish creates heterocyclic amines, which may be carcinogenic. Deep frying foods can also create volatile toxins, which may pose a respiratory risk, and neurotoxins that may be linked to hand tremors. Even just the vapors of frying bacon contain the potent carcinogen nitrosamine.

Frying potatoes to make French fries and potato chips (and even frying sweet potatoes) may create acrylamide, which is a known carcinogen. Frying foods also adds a lot of relatively empty calories.

For substantiation of any statements of fact from the peer-reviewed medical literature, please see the associated videos below.

18 videos

All Videos for Frying

The Harms Associated with Eating More Southern-Style Food

Diet appears to mediate the majority of the racial health gap.

Cooking oil poured from a bottle into a steel pot

The Carcinogen Glycidol in Cooking Oils

Glycidol may help explain why people who eat fried foods get more cancer.

Translucent cooking oil in a glass ingredient bowl

3-MCPD in Refined Cooking Oils

There is another reason to avoid palm oil and question the authenticity of extra-virgin olive oil.

The Side Effects of 3-MCPD in Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

Chlorohydrin contaminates hydrolyzed vegetable protein products and refined oils.

Is It Safe to Eat Raw Mushrooms?

Microwaving is probably the most efficient way to reduce agaritine levels in fresh mushrooms.

Are Melamine Dishes and Polyamide Plastic Utensils Safe?

I recommend glass, ceramic, porcelain, or stainless-steel tableware and wooden or stainless-steel cooking utensils.

Stainless Steel or Cast Iron: Which Cookware Is Best? Is Teflon Safe?

What’s the best type of pots and pans to use?

Best Way to Cook Vegetables

Boiling, steaming, microwaving, air frying, and sous vide cooking are put to the test for nutrient retention.

Olive Oil and Artery Function

Does extra virgin olive oil have the same adverse effect on arterial function as refined oils and animal fats?

The Best Kept Secret in Medicine

Lifestyle changes are often more effective in reducing the rates of heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and premature death than almost any other medical intervention.

Are Organic Foods More Nutritious?

There appear to be no consistent differences in the level of vitamins and minerals in organic versus conventionally grown produce, but organic fruits and vegetables have more phenolic phytonutrients.

Essential Tremor & Diet

Neurotoxins in chicken, such as the beta-carboline alkaloid harman, may explain the link between meat consumption and hand tremor, the most common movement disorder.

The Best Way to Cook Sweet Potatoes

How does sweet potato baking compare to boiling and steaming, and should we eat the skin?

Cancer Risk from French Fries

The association between cancer and the consumption of deep-fried foods may be due to carcinogens formed at high temperatures in animal foods (heterocyclic amines and polycyclic hydrocarbons) and plant foods (acrylamide).

Antimutagenic Activity of Green Versus White Tea

Antimutagenic Activity of Green vs. White Tea

The ability of green versus white tea to protect against in vitro DNA damage caused by a cooked chicken carcinogen (heterocyclic amine).

Breast Cancer Survival, Butterfat, and Chicken

Breast Cancer Survival, Butterfat, & Chicken

Breast cancer survivors may reduce their chances of survival if they eat too much saturated fat, found primarily in the American diet in cheese, chicken, and junk food.

Carcinogens in the Smell of Frying Bacon

Frying bacon outdoors decreases the concentration of airborne nitrosamine carcinogens.

Best Cooking Method

Which are the gentlest cooking methods for preserving nutrients, and which vegetables have more antioxidants cooked than raw?