Does eating french fries and chips cause cancer? What are its nutritional contents? What is the healthy way to prepare french fries? The answers and more are in this comprehensive report.
First of all, it should be clarified that there are 3 types of french fries that raise concerns regarding health problems, namely: Read also What will happen to your body when you eat potatoes daily? Dangerous signs that you are eating too much potato chips This is what happens to your body when you eat sweet potatoes regularly This is what happens to the body of a fasting person when eating potatoes
- “French fries” are potatoes that are sliced and fried, usually served in fast food restaurants. Usually these potatoes contain a greater amount of salt and preservatives, and have been previously fried and then frozen, and in the restaurant they are fried again and then served. There are concerns that some restaurants may use the oil for long periods of time for frying, and that this may cause it to burn, and thus lead to health damage when eating fried food with it.
- “potato chips” or “potato chips” are thin potato slices that are packed in bags and sold in stores.
- Fried potatoes, which are cut and fried at home, and are relatively less salty; Because it is chef controlled, it also contains no preservatives. that the oil used for frying can be ascertained of its quality; Because it’s at home.
An approximate 100 grams of french fries contain the nutritional content of potatoes , according to the US Department of Agriculture (US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE).
- Calories: 312 calories.
- Protein: 3.4 grams.
- Carbs: 41 grams.
- Dietary fiber: 3.8 grams.
- Fat: 15 grams.
Do french fries cause cancer?
The answer here is not easy, and also not straightforward; But we can refer to data confirming that fried potatoes are dangerous to health, such as:
- A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who eat French fries two or more times a week have a double the risk of early death compared to those who avoid them. The researchers noted that eating potatoes, which had not been fried, was not associated with a similar risk of premature death.
- According to data, consumption of French fries and potato chips may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. It is known that obesity increases the risk of some types of cancer; Such as colon cancer and breast cancer, according to Cancer research UK .
- French fries and potato chips contain acrylamide, a chemical that can form naturally from chemical reactions in certain types of starchy foods, after cooking at high temperatures.
Some foods include high levels of acrylamide, such as french fries and potato chips, foods made from cereals (such as breakfast cereals, crackers and toast), and coffee.
In response to the question “Does acrylamide cause cancer?” The American Cancer Society says it does not classify a particular substance as a carcinogen; But some of these organizations have taken the following decisions:
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer-IARC classifies acrylamide as a “probable human carcinogen”.
- The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) has classified acrylamide as “reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen”.
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies acrylamide as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
However, the AAA says it’s important to note that these decisions are based primarily on studies in laboratory animals, not on studies of people’s exposure to acrylamide from foods.
- French fries and potato chips contain ‘ ‘, which are feared to have negative health effects .
For these reasons, it can be said that it is best to reduce the intake of French fries in general, especially French fries and chips.
How can you prepare healthy French fries?
- After cutting the potatoes, soak them in water. This will reduce the formation of acrylamide.
- Before frying the potatoes can be boiled half-boiled, this will reduce the time you will need when frying.
- Fry the potatoes until they are just golden.
- Do not add salt to the potatoes.
- Only eat fried potatoes at home.
- Do not use frying oil more than once, and always use new oil for frying.
- When grilling potatoes over charcoal, do not place them directly on the flame; Instead, wrap it in aluminum foil, which will vaporize when grilling, and the steam does not produce acrylamide.