Even though humans have developed a lot of technologies for their comfort and well-being, certain lifestyle issues have also arisen because of this technology. Most people these days are working and due to tight schedules, nobody has the time to cook fresh food. While in most cases, they also don't even have the time to eat fresh food. In this case, reheating food again and again becomes a convenient way of deceiving oneself. Heating food restores the temperature and one often feels like they are eating fresh food. However, it is often suggested that one must not reheat their food again and again as it leads to certain chemical changes that may lead to food poisoning and food-borne diseases.
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As per the journal, Lipids in Health and Disease which was published in 2015, cholesterol is a very common compound that is found in most foods, especially meat products. Oxidation of cholesterol caused due to re-heating and storage methods can significantly affect the health of the human body. If a food is reheated more than a couple of times then it may also cause problems like vomiting and even diarrhoea in certain cases.
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Food That Shouldn't Be Reheated
Certain types of foods shouldn't be reheated again and again. As per a study published in the journal Molecules in 2022, microwave heating especially at high power can lead to an increase in damages to the crystal region of starch granules. It also decreases their stability. So generally foods that are rich in carbohydrates, such as corn, yams and wheat shouldn't be heated in microwaves. A study published in the ACS Central Science in 2023 also disclosed that reheating food in a microwave or high-temperature may also lead to significant damage in the DNA of the food. These damages may pose potential risks to the health of human beings.
Most of the food that a person eats consists of a lot of good bacteria. However, this food if left unattended for days may develop some harmful bacteria on its surface. Upon heating the food, these bacteria multiply and can become even more toxic to the body. This is the reason why most doctors and nutritionists suggest people eat only fresh food that has been recently cooked. Here is a list of foods that shouldn't be reheated as they have a higher risk of being infected as compared to other foods.
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* Rice
Rice is at the top of the list because it is high in starch. As stated above any food that has a high amount of starch must not be reheated because it may become poisonous. Avoid eating rice that is a couple of days old. Rice that is one day or some hours old can be reheated. However, some safety measures must be taken while reheating this rice and it should also be stored properly.
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* Vegetables With Nitrate
There are a lot of vegetables with very high amounts of nitrate. This includes carrots, celery, spinach, turnips and many more. Reheating any dish that has been made from these vegetables can lead to the generation of carcinogenic compounds that are not good for human consumption.
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* Potatoes
Just like rice, potatoes are also a great source of starch for the human body. However, reheating potatoes again and again may lead to the development of certain bacteria that can cause botulism. One must stay away from frozen potato snacks and any potato dish that is a couple of days old. Even if one is reheating a dish made from potatoes that was cooked a few hours ago, not only does it have to be stored properly but also it should be heated in a way that doesn't destroy its DNA.
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* Cold Pressed Oil
It is not at all a healthy choice to reuse the cold pressed oils that have already been heated and used for cooking something. This oil has already become toxic and heating it again and again may produce toxic compared. These compounds can severely impact the health of the body.
Safe Reheating Of Food
The right way to reheat food as per the USDA is to heat it at least at 160°F. Any commercially vacuumed or sealed food or ready-to-eat foods must be heated to 140°F. Foods like sauces, soups, and gravies must be brought to a boil. One can use a simple pan and heat it thoroughly then the food must be put inside the pan and it should be brought to its respective temperature. One should avoid using products like steam tables and slow cookers. Correct storage of food is equally important. Any leftover food should be packed in airtight containers that do not let the moisture slip in.