"Amarantha" > wrote in message
.4...
> "Tim Zimmerman" > wrote in
> m:
>
> > As strange as it may sound, dark toasted sweet rice is part of the
> > diet for some Asians. I've eaten rice like this for many years and
> > haven't seen any side effects yet. A recently study shows that eating
> > overheated or burned carbohydrates may cause cancer.
> >
>
> Eep! Don't tell me that I've just discovered Lao cooking and was
about
> to start making my own laap. I also shall await anyone's wisdom on this
> issue
>
I think what this is about is the possible formation of a group of compounds
called PAH's. These are substances that are formed from incomplete
combustion of carbon containing compounds, such as found in food. Their
chemistry is well known, and their link to cancer understood.
When food is charred, it is inevitable that some of these substances may be
formed. How much, and the probability of them causing harm is much harder to
assess. Whatever we consume may have an effect, whether that effect may
cause harm is for study. The fact that these PAH's are among the most potent
of cancer causing substances (they are the ones that can cause cancer from
smoking, passive or otherwise) suggests that we should be careful about what
we eat, and look again at charred food, and, unfortunately 'smoked food'.
I love toast, BBQ and smoked food, but I don't smoke cigarettes (only other
peoples!) so my chance of developing cancer is reduced. When it comes down
to it, life is just a string of probabilities.
cheers
Wazza