Hidden Cooking Hazard Harms Your Health

Cooking can be a joy, right?

First of all, whether you’re whipping up a wicked stir-fry or making a batch of your killer stuffed burgers, cooking is a creative outlet.

Plus, you get a warm, satisfied feeling from providing vital nourishment for you and your family.

But it turns out what you’re cooking IN could be wreaking havoc on your health every time you make a meal.

A new study revealed that cooking—especially when it involves frying or sautéing in a pan—can produce nasty little particles called brown carbon aerosols (BrCOA).

BrCOA are microscopic bits of gunk that get released into the air when you don’t completely burn off all the oils and fats in your cooking. Experts warn that they can harm indoor air quality AND your health.

In a study published in the journal Environmental Science: Atmospheres, researchers investigated whether BrCOA produce harmful compounds when cooking. What they found was disturbing.

It turns out the particles can create something called singlet oxygen, a super-reactive form of oxygen that can damage cells and tissues.

Even worse, singlet oxygen can linger in the air long after it forms, giving it plenty of time to react with and potentially oxidize other compounds in your home.

BrCOAs are just the latest in a long line of indoor air quality issues, joining the ranks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, cleaning products, and furniture; mold and mildew growth due to excess humidity; dust mites and pet dander allergies; secondhand smoke from cigarettes and other tobacco products; and even radon gas seeping in from the ground.

So, what does this mean for those of us who love cooking but also want to be healthy?

There are some simple things you can do to reduce your risks:

  1. Make sure you have good ventilation in your kitchen. Open a window or two while cooking to let that nasty air out.
  2. Turn on your exhaust fan! This will help suck up those pesky brown carbon aerosols before they have a chance to cause trouble.
  3. To minimize the formation of these particles, use oils with a higher smoke point, like avocado oil, when cooking food in a frying pan..
  4. Invest in high-quality HEPA air filters to help remove these contaminants from indoor air.

With a few simple changes to your cooking routine, you can maintain better indoor air quality and shield your cells and tissues from more harm.

And another thing…

Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily

“Golden Elixir” Dodges KILLER Dementia”

A new study reveals a surprising link between one common kitchen staple and a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia.

The Produce Problem Putting YOU at Risk

Consumer Reports recently released details from a jaw-dropping pesticide exposure investigation. Here’s what you need to know.

Better Mental Health with the Belly-Brain Bond

It’s time to pay more attention to what’s going on in your gut because it can affect your mental health. Researchers say THESE bacteria can help.

Live Longer with THIS Exercise Hack

Slash your risk of premature death, chronic diseases, and health complications by 20% simply by doing something you ought to be doing anyway.

Waking Up Stiff and Achy? Here’s Why

Learn the likely cause of morning aches and joint complaints and discover 10 potent natural solutions to erase the pain.

“Nutrient Cocktail” Slows Brain Aging to a CRAWL

Keeping your brain in tip-top shape just got easier. New research reveals that certain nutrients could be the key to a sharper mind as we age.

5 Natural Solutions to Silence the Ring of Tinnitus

Tinnitus, a condition in which you hear phantom sounds that aren’t actually there, affects millions. Here’s how to tackle it naturally.

P.S. Common cooking oil WARPS your brain!?

Source:

Nadine Borduas-Dedekind, et al., Singlet oxygen is produced from brown carbon-containing cooking organic aerosols (BrCOA) under indoor lighting, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024, [DOI: doi. org /10. 1039/D3EA00167A]

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED

By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...

Read This

Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory

You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...

Read This

Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check

I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...

Read This

Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer

We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....

Read This

Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer

“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....

Read This

Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger

We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...

Read This

Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging

Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...

Read This

The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood

You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....

Read This

Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin

You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...

Read This

Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”

Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...

Read This