---
title: Meat Cooked at High Temperatures Linked to Cancer Risk, Study Says
description: A new study published Monday in the journal Cancer links increased meat consumption to a higher risk for kidney cancer.
canonical: https://time.com/4104600/grilled-meat-barbecue-mutagens-cancer/
author: Alexandra Sifferlin
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article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-11-09T14:04:15.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:01:00.811Z
article:section: Health
og:title: Meat Cooked at High Temperatures Linked to Cancer Risk, Study Says
og:description: More bad news for meat lovers
og:url: https://time.com/4104600/grilled-meat-barbecue-mutagens-cancer/
og:site_name: TIME
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twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Meat Cooked at High Temperatures Linked to Cancer Risk, Study Says
twitter:description: More bad news for meat lovers
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7875c99e79195311/6988701c0b72e311cd6e6b82/grilled-meat.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9
---
# Grilled, Barbecued Meat Linked to Cancer Risk, Study Finds
## Video: Know Right Now: Processed Meat Linked to Cancer
[Watch (HLS stream): Know Right Now: Processed Meat Linked to Cancer](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/DIJK7hQC.m3u8) (1:01)
_Published 2015-10-26. Processed meat causes bowel cancer, and red meat is a probable cause, according to the WHO_
by
[Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/)
## Alexandra Sifferlin
Nov 9, 2015 2:04 PM UTC
Grilled Burger
Grilled BurgerGetty Images
by
[Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/)
## Alexandra Sifferlin
Nov 9, 2015 2:04 PM UTC
There’s [more bad news](http://time.com/4092378/red-meat-hot-dogs-and-the-war-on-delicious/) for meat lovers this week.
[A new study](http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/75/15%5FSupplement/836.short) published Monday in the journal _Cancer_ links increased meat consumption to a higher risk for kidney cancer, also suggesting that cooking process may be a factor.
In the study, researchers looked at the diets and genetic information of 659 [University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center](http://www.mdanderson.org/) patients who were recently diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of kidney cancer. They then compared these people to 699 healthy men and women.
The researchers estimated the men and women’s meat consumption and their exposure to mutagens (compounds that can cause a genetic mutations) in meat that are created when meat is cooked at high temperatures over an open flame, like grilled or pan fried. Cooking meat in this way can create carcinogens.
The study comes on the heels of a World Health Organization report that [declared processed meat a carcinogen, and said red meat could be as well](http://time.com/4086858/who-meat-cancer/).
**MORE:** [The science behind how bacon causes cancer](http://time.com/4087935/cancer-meat-bacon/)
The researchers found that the patients with kidney cancer ate more meat—both red and white—compared to the people in the study without cancer. They also reported a higher risk of kidney cancer associated with the consumption of two mutagens.
“We found elevated RCC risk associated with both meat intake and meat-cooking mutagens, suggesting independent effect of meat-cooking mutagens on RCC risk,” study author Dr. Xifeng Wu, a professor of epidemiology at MD Anderson [in a statement](http://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/news-releases/2015/increased-meat-consumption-kidney-cancer-risk.html). The researchers say their findings suggest that how meat is cooked is a factor that contributes to the higher risk of kidney cancer linked to meat consumption.
In addition, the researchers also found that men and women with a specific genetic mutation were more vulnerable to the risk associated with meat consumption, suggesting genetics may also have a role.
The researchers only found a link between meat consumption and kidney cancer risk. They did not find that meat consumption causes cancer and more research will need to be done to explore the connection. Also of note, the researchers do not say people should stop eating meat. They recommend meat be consumed in moderation. When cooking meat, they also recommend that cooks avoid charring or burning the meat.
[_Read more: The War on Delicious_](http://time.com/4092378/red-meat-hot-dogs-and-the-war-on-delicious/)
### QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet? Getty Images (4)
Answer: A half cup of ice cream If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat. Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter? Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Butter Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Sirloin burger Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Almonds Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Special K or eggs? AP; Getty Images
Answer: Eggs In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt. Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead. Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein. Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
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