Cooking affects the makeup of our food in many ways. Studies conducted until now have established a link between cooking methods and the risk of developing cancers. It is, therefore, extremely important that you make informed decisions about how you cook your food.
Some cooking methods are considered healthy to a great extent while a few others are seen as unhealthy. Now, let’s see the more common cooking methods and their effects on your health.
1. Steaming
Steaming of vegetables can give you more antioxidants than consuming them raw. This was revealed in Cornell University’s research findings. You can have a variety of health benefits if you prepare your food by steaming. It largely retains vitamin B, vitamin C, and other water-soluble vitamins. Moreover, this method of preparing food is easy and simple.
2. Microwaving
According to Harvard Health Publishing, microwaving preserves nutrients in food because of shorter cooking times. This was established with the help of a study that involved using microwave for preparing broccoli. The researchers found that the microwave was able to preserve the broccoli’s flavonoids.
Microwaving helps in preserving your food’s vitamin C content to a great extent. It also prevents other nutrients from diminishing during the heating process.
3. Pressure cooking
Most people like pressure cooking because it is the easiest way to prepare foods. However, not many of them know that it also prepares foods in a healthy way. This method of cooking can preserve the nutrients in meat, vegetables, and spices.
A reference to this fact can be found in a study published in the Journal of Food Science. In the study, it was found that pressure cooking retained 90 percent of vitamin C content in broccoli.
4. Boiling
Boiling diminishes a significant portion of water-soluble nutrients such as vitamin B and vitamin C in your food. To make the process more effective in retaining nutrients, you can boil your food at lower temperatures. One good aspect of boiling is that you can avoid oil or butter in the process.
Thus, it can be an effective method for the management of calories. Boiling also softens the meat and makes it easier to chew and digest.
5. Grilling
You might’ve relished grilled meat and vegetables for long, especially during your vacations or camping trips. Grilling certainly enhances the taste of your food and can help retain their nutrients. You can also avoid fats by grilling meat and other food items.
Despite all such benefits, it is important not to grill the food items to the point of charring them. A research done by Harvard Health revealed that excessive grilling can expose food to chemicals in the smoke. These chemicals might increase the risk of cancers.
6. Deep frying
This is one of the most unhealthy methods of preparing your food. According to The BMJ, a medical journal, regularly consuming deep-fried food can negatively affect your health. It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. If you can’t avoid frying your food, opt for healthier cooking oils while doing so. Avocado oil and olive oil are the healthier options among all the different types of oils.