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Eating Charred Meat Boosts Cancer Risk

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 2:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – Grill-happy Americans who favor burned or charred red meat are 60% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than people who eat less incinerated protein, Reuters reports. Charred meat is known to contain cancer-causing compounds, but the study makes the first direct connection. “Turning down the heat when grilling, frying, and barbecuing,” the lead author said, will lower the risk.

In a group of 62,000 people—the first study to follow subjects for an extended period and rigorously document their eating habits—208 were diagnosed with the disease over the course of 9 years. “Those who preferred very well-done steak were almost 60 percent more likely to get pancreatic cancer as those who ate steak less well-done or did not eat steak,” the researcher said. “Those with the highest intake of very well-done meat had a 70 percent higher risk.”

A barbecue chef grills meat at an eatery in Buenos Aires.
A barbecue chef grills meat at an eatery in Buenos Aires.   (AP Photo)
A man cooks on a grill.
A man cooks on a grill.   (AP Photo)
A barbecue.
A barbecue.   (©chiacomo)
Grilled meat.
Grilled meat.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
riffran
Apr 23, 2009 3:42 AM CDT
I prefer medium moo myself,, just get the outside looking grilled, throw some pecan wood on and sear the steaks outside in the direct flame just enough to seal it and slap it on the plate....the inside is still cool...yummmmmmy
PosterNutbag
Apr 22, 2009 9:27 AM CDT
I haven't been this shocked since the story about NFL players being more likely to incur brain injuries.
Doctor-Zaius
Apr 22, 2009 7:46 AM CDT
That's why I always go rare...

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