In a study from the University of Edinburgh, scientists found that food cooked at high heat may carry toxic chemicals that raise the risk of heart disease.
They suggest that cooking at a lower heat could help to cut the chances of developing the killer disease.
Researchers call for further studies to investigate the link, which could explain why heart disease rates are higher in communities where traditional cooking methods involve high temperatures.
Cooking food at temperatures above 150 degrees centigrade changes its chemical structure and can lead to the formation of toxic products known as neo-formed contaminants (NFCs).
These include trans-fatty acids – which are known to be harmful and are banned from food sold in many parts of the world – and other toxins called advanced glycation end-products.
Frying foods at high heat is particularly problematic because the oils readily break down to form trans-fatty acids.
In the study, researchers reviewed previous studies on the effects of NFCs on human and animal tissue. The studies explored the link between these products and heart disease risk.
Their findings showed that cooking methods – including frying and roasting – which are common in South Asian countries created high levels of trans-fatty acids, especially if the oil is reused.
The team found in China – where heart disease rates are lower – cooking commonly involves braising, steaming, and boiling, which does not give rise to the same level of toxic products.
They carried out research to examine why people from some ethnicities are more likely to develop heart disease even if they move to other parts of the world.
Studies have shown, for example, that men born in Pakistan have a 62% higher chance of dying from a heart attack compared to people born in England and Wales.
Previous research suggested that this increased risk could be linked to higher rates of diabetes in these communities. But the researchers say this does not explain the whole story and future work is needed to solve the problem.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a new way to repair the human heart, and hormones that could help reduce irregular heartbeat, and inflammation.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about simple exercise that could strongly benefit people with heart problems, and results showing one cup of these vegetables a day can lower heart disease risk.
The study was published in Nutrition and conducted by Kakde S et al.
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