Fried Food Can Cause Cancer, Studies Confirm

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Here's one more reason to be wary of fried foods: they contain acrylamide which causes cancer, recent studies confirmed. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this offending compound is found in plant-based foods prepared or cooked using high temperatures. 

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Consumer Update advising people how to reduce acrylamide in their diet, affirming the latest research finding that fried foods may indeed cause cancer. Public favorites such as French fries, dark toast, hash browns and even coffee, are on top of the list, with the FDA warning against having these foods prepared at high temperatures, reports Forbes.

The National Cancer Institute adds that the compound acrylamide is in fact found in cigarette smoke. Notably, in the food category, French fries and potato chips have the highest concentration of these health offenders.

Acrylamide forms during the cooking process, when sugar and amino acid combine with the aid of high temperature and prolonged time on the stove. People who love deep-fried and charred foods are especially cautioned against consuming these types of dishes.

Avoiding fried foods altogether is the primary advice of the FDA, while recommending to "adopt a healthy eating plan, consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans," which of course includes a diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats.

If consumption of fried foods can't be avoided at home, the FDA offers tips on how to at least reduce the risk, including how to handle frozen fries properly by following the manufacturer's instructions on using the right temperature and the right cooking time. Other tips include avoiding overcooking; toasting bread to light brown, not dark; cooking potatoes to golden yellow, not dark brown; and storing potatoes in the pantry instead of the refrigerator.

The FDA highlights the fact that 40% of the calories in the average U.S.  diet consists of acrylamide, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association.  For this reason alone, it is best to avoid fried foods to prevent the occurrence of cancer within the household. Lessening the intake of fried foods will also help family members to lose weight, so that they end up fighting cancer and obesity at the same time.