5 Healthy Things That Can Actually Be Deadly

Grilled Food

Many will opt for a grilled or blackened meat or vegetable as a healthier option to fried foods, but this type of food may be less-healthy than previously known. Barbecuing creates three different bi-products that can be dangerous to humans. Heterocyclic amines (known as HCAs) are a carcinogen created from combining meat and high heat to create the blackened, charred look and this type of carcinogen has been linked to cancer. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are damaging compounds that are produced within the body when smoke is inhaled, and these can be very damaging to the lungs. Finally, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are another toxic compound that can build up within the body due to a reaction from the chemicals produced from barbecue charcoal and cooked fat. Although flame-grilled, blackened meat and vegetables are delicious, it should be known by all who consume it that it can also be potentially hazardous to health. Try using marinades, pre-cooking meat before putting it on the barbecue, and reducing fat drippings onto the charcoal by using aluminum foil to ensure minimized exposure to potential harm.