We already knew grilling can present carcinogens into our bodies, but now we can't bake or fry either? That's it, I am going on a strict sushi and spring water diet. http://msnbc.com/news/743063.asp
Out of laziness, I didn't post the text...here you go: Bread, fries may be cancer risk Research finds carcinogen formed during frying, baking In just one bag of potato chips, Swedish scientists found 500 times more of a probable carcinogen than what’s considered safe. By Robert Hager NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT April 24 — French fries, potato chips, breads, cereal and other popular high-carbohydrate foods may contain high levels of a compound that probably causes cancer, according to an alarming study released Wednesday by Swedish food authorities. The carcinogen, called acrylamide, appears to form when carbohydrates are heated in a certain way, such as by frying potatoes or baking bread, researchers found SCIENTISTS at Stockholm University first made the surprising discovery while carrying out research on the effects of cooking staple foods such as cereals, rice and potatoes, in which they found acrylamide, which is thought to cause cancer. Sweden’s National Food Administration followed up on the research and tested more than 100 different samples of carbohydrate-rich foods subjected to high heat through frying, deep-frying or baking. In laboratory animals, acrylamide causes tumors, so the U.S. government lists it as a “probable” cause of cancer in humans. In just one bag of potato chips, they found 500 times more acrylamide than what’s considered safe. In french fries from Swedish outlets of the most popular American hamburger chains, they found 100 times the safe limit, and and high levels too, in cereals made by U.S. companies. ‘PROBABLE’ CAUSE OF CANCER In laboratory animals, acrylamide causes tumors, so the U.S. government lists it as a “probable” cause of cancer in humans. “The Swedish discovery is astonishing because nobody suspected that this potent carcinogen would be in our food supply,” said Michael Jacobson, head of Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group that monitors food safety. Jacobson says the U.S. government should get involved quickly. “The Food and Drug Administration immediately should evaluate the Swedish report and conduct tests of foods here in the United States.” Officials with the FDA did not immediately comment. But in the meantime, scientists caution that this is just one study with a controversial finding that will need more work to verify. So for now, they do not recommend changes in eating, other than noting it’s a good idea to limit fried foods anyway — if simply to avoid fat and cholesterol. “I think we need to step back a little bit and wait for greater discussion of the issue and see the findings presented in more detail,” Carl Winter, a toxicologist at the University of California at Davis, told the Associated Press. “The most important thing is not the presence or absence of any type of ingredient, but how much is there.” FURTHER QUESTIONS Winter pointed out that it was unusual for such results to be released before publication in a scientific journal and said more investigation was needed. “I would caution consumers to be a little patient here,” he said. “Cancer’s a very scary word, but one has to understand how these tests are done.” Grocery manufacturers, who have a lot at stake in this debate, criticize the study. “To our knowledge, the report was released before it was reviewed by other scientists, so it’s very inconclusive. But what we do know is that there’s not enough data to warrant any consumers overreacting, or changing their dietary habits,” said Gene Grabowski of the Grocery Manufacturers of America. But others say it’s important to get answers soon, because the items like bread, cereal, chips and fries are so popular and tend to be consumed in large quantities.
Shut down all the fast food restaraunts. We have a public health hazard on our hands!!!!!!!! From now on, all fast food restaraunts will be fruit and vegetable stands. Umm...I'll have the eggplant parmisan....since grilling or frying it will cause me to have cancer....then please stick it up your ass, cook it for me, and shiyat it out on a plate . But, hold the noodles as those are high carbs and hold the tomato sauce as that's too sugary. While your at it...hold the flour or breadcrumbs. Better just give me the raw eggplant.
I'm a little dubious about these findings. If this compound were so terribly toxic, I think we'd have A LOT more cancer cases then we do now. I think they may be overlooking crucial points in their research, such as the body's ability to somehow break down and assimilate acrylamide that has been ingested through normal food sources. Granted, french fries and potato chips are clearly rotten for you. They're mostly laden with hydrogenated oil which is a big no-no.But the fact that they implicate bread and rice makes me very skeptical. These have been staple foods of world cultures for thousands of years. The Asian food culture is centered on rice, and they're some of the healthiest people (with the lowest incidents of cancer) in the world. Even if this ends up being true, the high-protein Atkins diet is still no prize. Most meat is laden with saturated fat, hormones and antibiotics -- all stuff we can do without. I basically try to follow Andrew Weil's dietary advice. Lots of organic fruits and veggies, high-quality complex carbohydrates and some protein (he advocates cold-water fish, but I stick to organic dairy and soy). And, of course, one fantastic cup of coffee in the morning.
Hmmm, I don't know. Let me do some research. Can you imagine the effect if it is true that BAKED BREAD causes cancer. A wholesale change in diet will happen across America....Oscar Meyer, Louis Rich, and Jenny-O will have to file bankruptcy due to having nothing to put their lunchmeat on. This is HUGE. This is bigger than the Y2K scare...... Time to sell my Frito Lay and Wonder Bread stock!
We KNOW that eating large amounts of red meat and saturated fat leads to cancer. We KNOW that smoking causes cancer. Yet, that hasn't changed the habits of Americans. If eating french fries really gave people cancer, many MANY more people would have it today than do currently.
