Smoked meats have been around for centuries. Yet, they’ve become extremely popular in recent years, as different barbecue styles from around the country have gained much more attention and garnered a lot of interest.
But, what are smoked meats?
Smoking meat is a process that cooks raw meat by exposing it to smoke from burning wood and/or other plant material. Doing so not only flavors the meat but preserves it for longer periods of time.
The process of smoking meats can actually follow a variety of different methods. This includes liquid smoking, cold smoking and hot smoking — which is perhaps the most commonly-known version.
Smoking meat is an extremely popular cooking method because it tenderizes and preserves the meat while adding loads of flavor.
Some people have concerns about smoked meats, though, questioning whether they are good for you. We’ll take a closer look at the health aspects of smoked meats below.
Some of the concerns regarding smoked meats is that they can be contaminated with harmful substances. Examples include heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
When meat is cooked at high temperatures, such as during the smoking process, these contaminants can sometimes form. For smoking, this can happen because the smoke itself can carry the substances onto the meat’s surface, which makes it a source of contamination.
Smoked meats also might contain other harmful substances, including nitrates and nitrites. While your body naturally produces these chemicals, they’re also found in many foods and even medications.
Aside from just smoked meats, nitrates and nitrites can be found in vegetables such as leeks, fennel, lettuce, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.
There are naturally a lot of concerns about PAHs and HCAs because they’re known to be mutagenic. This means that they can cause changes to occur with your DNA, which puts you at risk of developing certain types of cancer.
This is obviously not a good thing, which is why the National Cancer Institute warns against consuming large amounts of smoked meats. Doing so can actually increase your risk of developing cancer in the intestinal tract, most notably stomach and colon cancer.
Some other research also suggests that processed and red meats, which include smoked meats, could increase your risk of developing prostate and breast cancer.
Based on evidence that suggests a link between smoked meats and colorectal cancer, the World Health Organization has even classified processed meats as Group 1 carcinogenic. This classification also covers smoked meat.
With all of these health concerns, is it even a good idea to consume smoked meat at all? The quick answer is that yes, it’s OK to consume smoked meats, though there are some recommendations for what types you should eat and how they should be cooked.
One way to reduce your exposure to potentially harmful substances is to choose meats that are labeled “nitrate-free” or “uncured.” It’s also best to avoid consuming too many smoked meats that are high in sodium and fat.
As for the cooking methods, choose meats that are prepared using a method that uses lower temperatures, such as pan-frying or grilling. If you’re cooking smoked meats at home, consider purchasing a smoker that has a temperature control feature, which can help to reduce the formation of PAHs and HCAs during the cooking process.
When smoking meats at home, there are some tips you should follow to ensure you are doing so safely.
First, use a meat thermometer. This will help you determine whether the meat has been cooked to a safe internal temperature. Otherwise, you might be guessing as to whether the meat is cooked properly or not.
By using indirect heat at low temperatures, you’ll be helping to reduce the formation of PAHs and HCAs. It’s also essential to prevent contamination by keeping your smoker clean and maintaining it well.
If you want to add extra moisture and flavor to your meat, use aluminum foil pouches, which essentially act as mini-ovens within your cooking device.
Smoked meats aren’t all harmful. In fact, there are many health benefits of eating smoked meats. They can be a great source of protein and other essential nutrients such as iron and zinc.
Not only that, but smoking meats in essence means you’re preserving it. This makes it a convenient option for meal prep, and it’s why smoking has been a method of cooking for centuries — as it was necessary before the invention of reliable in-home refrigeration.
In addition, smoked meats can add great flavor and texture to dishes. That’s a big reason why they’re such a popular choice for so many different recipes.
There are a number of healthy alternatives to smoked meats. One option is to use traditional meats but cook them differently, such as by pan-frying or grilling them to reduce potential exposure to harmful chemicals.
When you use these methods, you can incorporate spices and herbs to add flavor to the meat, rather than simply relying on the smoke to impart the flavor.
You could also opt for leaner meats, such as pork loin or chicken breast. These options would reduce the amount of sodium and fat that you and those you are cooking for consume.
There are different ways that you smoke meats to actually make them healthier as well. One way is to use a charcoal grill with very hot coals, as this will reduce the possibility that PAHs and HCAs will form.
You can add a water pan to your smoker, which will help to increase moisture and, in turn, reduce the risk of contamination happening. As mentioned earlier, you can also wrap your meat in aluminum foil to retain moisture and reduce the contamination risk even further.
Another technique is to use thin blue smoke to add flavor to your meats, rather than relying on thick, heavy smoke, which can bring with it harmful chemicals.
While smoked meats do present some potential negative health effects, they can also be a staple of a healthy diet when they are consumed in moderation and cooked safely.
By choosing healthier meat options and ensuring that you are following tips for how to smoke meat safely, you can enjoy all the benefits of smoked meats while minimizing the potential risks.
At Abbey’s Real Texas BBQ, we follow best practices when smoking meats to ensure we only provide the most delicious dishes possible.To learn more, please contact us today.
