EXCESS consumption of braai meat is potentially harmful to human beings as it can cause stomach and bowel cancer, the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) has said. In an interview, CAZ information officer Ms Priscilla Mangwiro said research has shown that continuous consumption of the meat was a major cause of cancer.
“Research has shown that braai meat can cause stomach and bowel cancers. The fact that the meat is cooked at very high temperatures on a braai stand overtime can cause cancers,” she said.
A nutritionist based in Harare, Mr Zephaniah Gomora, said epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of stomach cancer in people who are exposed to braai, smoked and cured meat.
“An increased risk of stomach cancer is seen in people with diets that have large amounts of smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables,” he said.
Mr Gomora said nitrates and nitrites were substances commonly found in cured meats and can be converted by certain bacteria, such as H pylori, into compounds that have been shown to cause stomach cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore, he said smoked meats were associated with an increased risk for certain cancers due to the presence of cancer-causing substances — carcinogens.
“For example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo pyrenes from wood smoke are toxic. Also, nitrosamines, which are the common by-products of curing agents such as nitrites and nitrates, are also carcinogenic.
“According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines form when meat is cooked under high temperatures, as happens during smoking over an open flame or by grilling,” he said.
Asked about the amount of time that one should be exposed to braai meat that can cause cancer, the nutritionist said it varied with individuals.
“Exposure varies from one person to the other depending on the existence of other exposure variables and the person’s immunity and resistance. The bottom line is long exposure periods to braai meat increases the risk,” he said.
Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer include poor appetite, weight loss (without trying), abdominal (belly) pain, vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel, sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal, heartburn or indigestion, nausea and vomiting with or without blood.
Mr Gomora said stomach cancer cannot be prevented.
Mr Dexter Chagwena, a nutritionist from the Ministry of Health and Child Care encouraged people to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
“An individual should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Besides the aided advantage of reducing your risks to conditions such as cancers this also ensures one is protected from deficiencies of vitamins and minerals which is a common problem we are currently facing in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Furthermore he said people can enjoy braai meat moderately and avoid open flames when braaing the meat.
