1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Home Cooking

Marinades and Health

Can marinades fight cancer agents?

By , About.com Guide

Marinades and health

Some studies have shown that a reaction between creatine in muscle meats and amino acids caused by flame-cooking at high temperatures produces a cancer-causing agent known as heterocyclic amine (HCA). New research seems to indicate that marinades may discourage formation of certain HCAs in char-grilled meat.

Immersion in an acid-based marinade for as little as forty minutes resulted in a decrease of 92-99% of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in recent tests by the American Institute for Cancer Research. More studies are being conducted, but the acidic component in marinades seems to do the trick. Marinating is currently the best known method of discouraging the formation of HCAs.

More About Marinades:
The science of marinades and how they work
Natural marinades and flavors
Leftover marinades and marinade tips
Marinades and health
Marinade Recipes

Marinades, Rubs, Brines, Cures, & Glazes
Marinades : The Secret of Great Grilling
Barbecue! Bible Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes
Paul Kirk's Championship Barbecue Sauces: 175 Make-Your-Own Sauces, Marinades, Dry Rubs, Wet Rubs, Mops, and Salsas
More Cookbooks
Related Resources

Explore Home Cooking

About.com Special Features

New Year, New You

Advice and how-to guides for making and keeping all your resolutions. More >

All-Star Football Food

Try these gameday recipes that are sure to please any fan. More >

  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Home Cooking
  4. Food / Health Information
  5. Food Health Facts
  6. Miscellaneous Food Health
  7. Marinade Health Information. Marination fights cancer agents.>

©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.