What happens to your body when you eat burned fowl on your plate?
We're all familiar with chicken, the adaptable poultry that may be one of the most popular animal meats. Many people include chicken in their meal rotation because of its variety, mild flavor, and ease of preparation, but what are some of the negative consequences of eating chicken, particularly grilled chicken?
While you may believe that the flavor is the only thing that changes when you grill chicken instead of baking or pan-frying it, there are other differences to be aware of during the grilling process. Let's take a closer look at what happens in your body when you consume grilled chicken, as well as other healthy eating tips.
1. Grilled chicken may aid in development and growth.
Chicken, like all animal products, is high in amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. As a result, the protein in chicken helps the body's tissues heal, develop, and maintain itself. When you eat grilled chicken, you're giving your body a variety of amino acids, which go into a "pool" of these building blocks that may be used for a variety of activities throughout the body.
Positive nitrogen balance, defined as having more amino acids accessible than are necessary for your body at any particular time, necessitates a sufficient supply of these amino acids. Positive nitrogen balance is especially critical during periods of growth, such as when gaining muscle mass. In these situations, one must have an abundance of protein in their body to devote to their growth and development.
2. It will make you feel full.
Although the word "satisfaction" is not commonly used, the concept is one you come across regularly. Satiety refers to the sensation of being complete or satisfied after eating. Protein has the highest satiety value of all the macronutrients, including carbs, fats, and proteins. This means that if you eat the same amount of calories from carbs, fat, and protein, the protein will make you feel the most satisfied and last the longest. Satiety is a valuable attribute because it allows us to avoid overeating and establishes an appetite level that allows us to choose more suitable portions of meals and snacks.
Weight loss and management can be aided by controlling portion sizes and eating frequency. As a result, grilled chicken may be a beneficial nutritional choice for someone trying to reduce weight.
3. Carcinogens can be found in grilled meat.
While grilling chicken gives it a distinct flavor, there are certain disadvantages to cooking chicken (or any meat) over an open flame. Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are produced when meat is cooked at extremely high temperatures, such as during grilling. HCAs are notably noticeable when char marks appear on the flesh. These HCAs, however, are thought to stimulate the growth of malignant cells.
When fat from meat drips into the flames of a grill, another probable cancer-causing molecule called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is created in addition to HCAs. Fortunately, chicken is a lump of lean meat that doesn't have much fat that could drip into the flames during grilling. Regardless of the fat content, the open flame will almost certainly produce HCAs in the meat.
You are wrapping your chicken with foil while grilling reduces the flames' impact, which helps prevent the formation of these harmful compounds. This would also retain any fat released by the bird, preventing it from contacting the flames. Another way to reduce the amount of cancer-causing chemicals in your chicken while grilling is to flip it regularly. As a result, the formation of char marks will be limited, and the amount of HCAs created during cooking will be reduced.
Takeaway
While there are certain benefits to eating grilled chicken, it is also vital to be aware of the potential negative consequences.
Although grilling your chicken can produce a delightful flavor, it is best to use cooking tips that reduce the creation of cancer-causing chemicals. Another way to balance out the dubious components is to eat your grilled chicken with antioxidant-rich meals like fruits and vegetables, which can offset the harmful effects of HCAs and PAHs.
Serve your grilled chicken over a large salad with greens and vegetables, or top it with mango salsa and avocado for a burst of antioxidants to counteract the carcinogenic compounds.