How do you take your meat? Rare, medium-rare, or well-done? You may base your cooking on flavor, but maybe you should consider the impact of how you eat your meat on your blood pressure.
The American Heart Association has suggested that cooking meat at high temperatures could pose a risk to your health. And this applied to all meat including lean options like chicken. They suggest that cooking meat well-done could up your blood pressure.
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The study followed over 100,000 people who recorded their cooking methods and blood pressure over the course of 12 to 16 years. The researchers found that participants who consumed at least two servings of red meat, chicken, or fish per week had a higher risk of blood pressure by nearly 15 to 17 percent based on cooking factors.
One reason that emerged was eating meat well-done. High blood pressure risk was higher in those who consumed their meat well-done compared to those who consumed their meat on the rare side.
High blood pressure was also seen in those who consumed grilled, broiled, or roasted meat more than 15 times per month compared to those who consumed it less than four times per month. This is related to the consumption of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), which are chemicals in the meat when cooked at high temperatures. High consumption of HAAs was associated with a 17 percent higher risk for high blood pressure.
The researchers aren’t suggesting that well-done meat will result in high blood pressure but rather want to make individuals aware of the risk that their meat preference and cooking style could have on their health.
Study lead author Gang Liu explained, “Chemicals produced by cooking meats at high temperatures induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance in animal studies.”
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When it comes to blood pressure, there are many contributing factors to look at aside from diet. For example, physical activity, stress, weight, genetics, family history, smoking, and drinking habits all play a role in a person’s hypertension risk.
It’s recommended that you not only eat a variety of foods, but cook these foods in a variety of ways like baking, stewing, slow-cooking, and sautéing.
Also read: 21 foods that raise blood pressure level
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
