UBC researchers discover singlet oxygen indoors during cooking, highlighting health risks and advocating for improved kitchen ventilation.
Scientists cook pancakes, Brussels sprouts and stir fry to detect an oxidant indoors for the first time
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Indoor Singlet Oxygen Exposure: Implications for Health and Cooking Practices
Singlet oxygen, recognized as an oxidizing agent, can have both advantageous and detrimental effects. For instance, ozone in the stratosphere is a beneficial example. However, in the context of indoor environments, singlet oxygen exposure poses risks to lung health, potentially leading to the onset of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease over time.
Burning Wood, Coal for Cooking Linked to Higher Risk of Eye Diseases
Cooking with coal or wood is linked to an elevated risk of eye diseases such as cataract, conjunctivitis, and disorders of the sclera, cornea, iris, and ciliary body.
Cooking with coal or wood is linked to an elevated risk of eye diseases such as cataract, conjunctivitis, and disorders of the sclera, cornea, iris, and ciliary body.
‘Cooking under sunlight releases singlet oxygen, potentially affecting health. #indoorairquality #kitchensafety #medindia’
The act of cooking food can release brown carbon molecules, which, upon absorbing light, have the capacity to generate oxidants. Furthermore, chefs exposed to cooking emissions face an increased risk of chronic diseases. Historically, it was thought there wasn’t enough light indoors to have much reactive chemistry, but there are many light sources in modern kitchens.
Indoor Cooking and Singlet Oxygen: The Impact of Sunlight
UBC researchers thought if all the right ingredients were in place—namely, cooking in a lit area—they might find singlet oxygen indoors where it had never been detected.
Top 5 Foods That May Turn Toxic When Cooked or Overcooked
The way you prepare your meal determines how healthy it is. Cooking food generates a chemical process that renders it either edible or inedible to all.
The way you prepare your meal determines how healthy it is. Cooking food generates a chemical process that renders it either edible or inedible to all.
They detected singlet oxygen at around the same concentration for all three dishes. However, its highest concentration occurred in sunlit experiments, meaning naturally lit kitchens likely see more of this oxidant.
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Chef’s Kiss: Cooking Boosts Your Mental Health
Healthy home cooking equals a healthy mind. Being confident in the kitchen is good for your mental health.
Healthy home cooking equals a healthy mind. Being confident in the kitchen is good for your mental health.
The researchers recommend ventilation and air filtration in kitchens to reduce exposure to aerosols while cooking.
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Sleep Deprived? Your Oxidants Could be A Spoilsport!
Chronic mild sleep deprivation increases dangerous oxidants in blood vessels and fails antioxidant defenses, increasing cardiovascular risk in later life.
Chronic mild sleep deprivation increases dangerous oxidants in blood vessels and fails antioxidant defenses, increasing cardiovascular risk in later life.
Reference:
- Scientists cook pancakes, Brussels sprouts and stir fry to detect an oxidant indoors for the first time - (https://phys.org/news/2024-05-scientists-cook-pancakes-brussels-fry.html)
Source-Medindia
