3 cooking mistakes that turn food into poison

It is important to eat healthy food to stay fit and active. While we have known this rule for years, not many of us know that to eat healthy, it is equally important to cook the food right. On a daily basis, we often commit certain cooking mistakes that turn food toxic. In a recent video on Instagram, health educator Prashant Desai, Stanford School of Medicine, talked about 3 common cooking mistakes that turn food into poison. Scroll down to read the details.

As per Prashant, overheating or reheating the oil leads to DNA damage, which leads to development of cancer. It is said to be carcinogen. When oil is heated beyond its smoke point, it releases toxic fumes and forms harmful compounds like acrolein, which can irritate the eyes and respiratory system. More importantly, reheating oil multiple times causes the formation of free radicals and trans fats, which are known to increase the risk of heart disease, inflammation, and even cancer over time. It is also found that reused oil loses its nutritional value and can produce aldehydes—a class of chemicals linked to various chronic diseases, including liver damage and neurodegenerative conditions. Prashant also says that reheating oil increases toxicity by over 500% and creates inflammation in the body.

In the video, Prashant has mentioned that to make food crispy we often burn the food and that burnt blackish patch on toast or roti contains a carcinogen called acrylamide. This compound is formed during a process known as the Maillard reaction and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. As per Prashant, it is the most dangerous mistake commonly practiced by people on a daily basis. It is also said that burnt meats may contain heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—carcinogenic compounds that form when meat is cooked over open flames or at high heat. These substances can damage DNA and increase the risk of colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers when consumed frequently. They are also said to impact liver and kidney function over time.

As per Prashant's video, use of aluminum foil in cooking can lead to brain damage. It is also said that excessive aluminum accumulation in the body can disturb the mineral balance, especially calcium by 40% poor, which further impacts bone health. Also, deposition of aluminum in the body can affect the hormonal balance in the long run. Aluminum exposure can lead to oxidative stress, which damages cells and contributes to inflammation, aging, and diseases like cancer and cardiovascular issues.

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