Synonymous with vacation and conviviality, this emblematic food of summer would hide an unknown danger. It is not the ingredient in itself that is implicated, but rather the way in which it is cooked. A recent scientific study establishes a direct link between a certain cooking and the development of serious forms of pancreatic cancer.
The pancreatic cancersilent killer but formidably aggressive, is the subject of a new alert. According to several Nutrition researchershigh temperature cooking of certain foods, especially on the barbecue, releases chemicals potentially carcinogenic. Invisible to the naked eye, these compounds are likely to alter the DNA of human cells, thus promoting the appearance of tumors. It is therefore not the food itself which is dangerous, but the cooking method, widely practiced during the summer season. Simple gestures could, however, considerably limit risks.
Grilled meat: a cooking that worries researchers
Formidable chemicals when cooking on the barbecue
Barbecue cooking produces heterocyclical amines and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonschemical compounds created by direct fat combustion. When meat is cooked at very high temperature, in contact with a flame or on a burning rack, these substances inevitably form. Invisible, inodores, but dangerous, they penetrate the fabrics of the food. These molecules can then damage the cells of the pancreas, a particularly sensitive organ, which makes it a ground conducive to the appearance of aggressive cancers.
The direct impact on the pancreas now confirmed
A study published in March 2025 clearly establishes the link between cooking at high temperature andTumor risk increase. Researchers note a significant correlation between the frequency of consumption of meat and the appearance of pancreatic cancer. This pathology, the number of cases of which continues to explode, which affects more than 15,000 French people each year, remains one of the deadliest, with less than 10 % survival at five years. Doctor Sermed Mezher insists: these compounds prevent the natural repair of DNA, triggering irreversible carcinogenic mutations, especially in pancreatic tissues.
Other cancers associated with the same cooking method
The danger is not limited to the pancreas. Several epidemiological studies indicate that excessive cooking of meat also increases the risk of colorectal cancer, of prostate or the small intestine. These diseases also have high mortality rates when detected late. What worries scientists most is the trivialization of this aggressive cooking. Indeed, many consumers ignore that the blackened, crisp or charred parties are precisely the most harmful, and that they promote the development of cancer cells.
Prevention: simple gestures to avoid risks
Do not burn meat, an essential rule
Avoiding blackening meat is the first reflex to adopt. A Soft and controlled cooking Limits the formation of carcinogenic compounds, recalls Modes & Works. Ideally, the temperature should not exceed 200 ° C, and the meat should never come into direct contact with the flame. Use a electric grill Or a plancha allows you to better regulate heat. This simple gesture makes it possible to considerably reduce the formation of AHC and HAP. By limiting carbonizations, we preserve the flavor of foods while reducing the risk of pancreatic or colon cancer.
Favor marinades and slow cooking
THE Acid marinadesbased on lemon, vinegar or yogurt, reduce the formation of toxic compounds during cooking. They act as a chemical barrier and limit the impact of heat on the surface of the meat. In addition, favoring slow oven or steam cooking allows you to keep a moderate temperature Throughout the preparation. This culinary approach improves not only food digestibility, but also protects internal organs against repeated exposure to carcinogenic agents.
Adopt new eating habits
Diversifying your menus is an effective strategy to limit risks. Integrate more grilled vegetablescooked fish at low temperature or vegetable proteins can compensate for the overconsumption of meats baked on the barbecue. These foods, rich in antioxidants, strengthen the immune system and protect the organism against theChronic inflammationoften at the origin of cellular mutations. Also remember to reduce your alcohol consumption because the risk would be higher according to a study.
