Marinade Your Meat for Flavor and for Your Health

Why Marinated Meat is Better

What’s in a marinade?
Apparently, a few health benefits in addition to flavor. A delicious, tenderizing marinade is very easy to do.  Try fresh lemon juice, grated lemon rind, olive oil, a pinch of saffron, and black pepper.  You’ll discover a middle-eastern inspired flavor hot off the grill. 

In addition to being low in fat and sodium, it requires minimal effort or preparation.

This simple step may make these grilled meats even more healthful.  Unhealthy compounds, heterocyclic amines (or HCAs), form when mean, poultry, or fish are exposed to high heat, like that of broiling or grilling.  These compounds have been related to increased cancer risks, though no one knows the extent of the relationship or how much of them is a safe level to consume.

The Journal of Food Science has new research that indicates that by using vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil and spices that are high in antioxidants as a marinade prior to grilling, you can cut down the HCA formation by an average of 71%!

Other ways to cut down on HCA formation include cooking the meat slower at a lower temperature, and making sure to avoid flame flare-ups when liquids drip into the flame.  Stir-fry or sauté your meats for a safe cooking option as well.