When we enter the kitchen of any family, we can feel the warm smell of home. However, in this seemingly harmonious cooking space, there are actually some hidden health hazards, which are like "landmines" from time to time, which can have a negative impact on our health once touched.
In order to better understand and avoid these potential dangers, today, let's reveal these "kitchen killers" together and learn how to avoid them with the right operation to ensure a safe and healthy diet.
1. Unknown "poisons" hidden in vegetables
Many people know that eating vegetables is good for their health, but did you know? Some vegetables, if not handled properly, can become "uninvited guests" to the body.
For example, beans and red kidney beans contain plant lectins, which can cause poisoning if eaten directly without blanching; For example, spinach, purslane and other vegetables rich in oxalic acid, unblanched may hinder the absorption of minerals and irritate the gastric mucosa; There are also toons with a unique taste, and nitrite-containing toons need to be blanched to reduce the risk of poisoning.
2. Risks caused by improper storage of oyster sauce
Let's take another look at the spices in those bottles and jars. Oyster sauce, a commonly used condiment in cooking, may form carcinogens if not stored properly.
Oyster sauce contains a variety of amino acids, minerals and organic acids. If left at room temperature or in a high-temperature kitchen for a long time, oyster sauce is susceptible to oxidation and increases the risk of spoilage and mildew, which may produce harmful substances such as aflatoxin, a first-class carcinogen.
Studies have found that 1mg of aflatoxins can cause cancer, 20mg can cause death in adults, its toxicity is 10 times that of ***, 68 times that of arsenic, and it takes a high temperature of more than 280 to decompose.
The right thing to do is to choose small bottles of oyster sauce as much as possible to reduce storage time; Refrigerate (0 4) immediately after opening and consume as soon as possible.
3. Stacking and storage of tableware exacerbates the growth of bacteria
Stacking clean cutlery may sound convenient and practical, but experiments have shown that it significantly increases the number of bacteria on the surface of the utensils, and the bacteria count is up to 70 times higher when stacked than when stored vertically. These bacteria include E. coli, Salmonella, etc., which can cause acute gastroenteritis.
The correct thing to do is to store the utensils in an upright position to keep them ventilated and dry and avoid bacterial growth. Long-term exposure to the bacteria that breed can lead to diseases such as stomach problems, ulcers, and even cancer. Therefore, proper washing and storage of utensils is very important for good health.
Fourth, improper defrosting of meat and loss of nutrients
In today's fast-paced life, the storage and handling of meat products is particularly crucial. Using the wrong defrosting method, such as defrosting quickly with hot water, can lead to a decrease in the nutritional value of the meat, a deterioration in taste, and even an increase in the likelihood of microbial growth.
Meat is best purchased on demand, and excess meat can be cut into small pieces and kept sealed in the freezer. When defrosting, repeated handling should be avoided, and it is best to put it in the refrigerator overnight or let it stand with water to thaw.
5. The hazards of overnight dishes
The pace of modern life is fast, and overnight dishes are often used by family members to solve the next day's meal problems. However, such a habit is actually risky.
Overnight green leafy vegetables have increased nitrate content, which may induce cancer if consumed for a long time; Due to the high protein content, seafood is prone to irritating protein degradants after overnight; If the white fungus and mushrooms are left for too long, the problem is equally serious. Even starchy foods such as potatoes, taro, and steamed buns are breeding grounds for bacteria.
The correct practices include: eating the prepared food as much as possible on the same day, or adopting appropriate storage methods; Leftovers should be refrigerated immediately and ensure that they are thoroughly heated to the stated temperature before being taken.
6. Safety hazards of kitchen appliances
Have you ever noticed the condition of the rice cooker liner? If the coating of the aluminum liner is damaged, it may allow aluminum ions to dissolve into the food, which can cause hidden dangers to the body if ingested for a long time. Therefore, once the coating is damaged, the inner tank should be replaced in time, or the rice cooker should be replaced with a new one.
Similarly, improper use of a range hood can turn the kitchen into a dangerous place. The fine particulate matter contained in oil smoke can seriously affect the respiratory system and cause lung cancer in the long run. Therefore, the reasonable selection and use of range hoods to reduce the health hazards of oil smoke cannot be ignored.
Scientific Guide:
1.Check and remove toxins from vegetables, such as blanching to eliminate harmful substances such as plant lectins and oxalic acid.
2.Oyster sauce should be refrigerated after opening the lid and pay attention to the expiration date to reduce the risk of mildew.
3.Tableware should be placed upright, kept ventilated, and dried in time after the water is discharged to avoid bacterial growth.
4.Meat should be frozen in pieces, and thawed overnight or with water at room temperature.
5.Overnight dishes should be avoided as much as possible, especially those that are prone to nitrite formation.
6.If the coating of the rice cooker is damaged, it is recommended to replace it or cook only neutral food.
7.When stir-frying, make sure to turn on the range hood in advance to reduce the impact of oil smoke on air quality.
These "health killers" in the kitchen seem to be hidden, but as long as we master the countermeasures, we can effectively avoid them.
Choosing the right way to handle food, storing spices properly, storing utensils scientifically, and using electrical appliances carefully are all smart choices to protect the health of yourself and your family.
Let's work together to weave a warm and safe cooking environment for our family.