Charcoal barbequing has been long used  to grill meat outdoors. The method is liked by all who relish eating grilled meat; and if it is outdoors it has to be charcoal barbequing.

Though, the charcoal grilled bite of meat tastes  delicious, have you ever thought about the effects of charcoal barbequing on your health? And wait, the bite is actually too late; charcoal harms your body as soon it starts burning.

 Charcoal barbequing causes air pollution harmful for lungs

Charcoal, on burning, produces hydrocarbons and soot which contributes to lung disorders and heart diseases and also are responsible for air pollution. Lump charcoal and charcoal briquettes both are responsible for polluting the air. But since the charcoal briquettes are smokeless and slightly better than lump charcoal, they are considered to be less harmful.

As per the study conducted by scientists from Rice University in 2003, it was found that microscopic particles emitted while burning charcoal were the major factor of increasing air pollution in Houston, Texas.

Charcoal barbequing can cause cancer

Also, the crispiness of charcoaled grilled meat and vegetables is responsible for forming carcinogenic compounds namely: heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The formation of these compounds takes place when the grilling starts and the fat drips on the charcoal. The compounds then rise and get deposited on the food. Even while the charring takes place, PAHs directly form on food. Increased intakes of barbequed meat leads to colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancer. To make people aware of the effects of charcoal barbequing, the Canadian government has taken a step to display a warning label on charcoal packets a sit is done on cigarettes packs.

How to protect yourself from harmful effects of charcoal barbequing-

• Use gas grills instead of charcoal barbequing.
• While charcoal barbequing, make use of natural charcoal brands.  Noram de Mexico’s Sierra Madre is 100% oak hardwood certified charcoal, free from oil, coal, limestone, saw and petroleum. Charcoal from Lazzari and Greenlink are also good options.
• Don’t overcook the meat
• Stay away from the smoke.

Barbequing is fun but doing it in a controlled way ensures good health.

Image credit- thedailygreen.com