Cooking with beer can add flavor to many of your favorite meals, but did you know it can actually make your food healthier? A 2009 study conducted by the University of Porta revealed that marinating red meat in beer can significantly reduce the number of carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, in the meat. A number of publications have reported on this finding, but I particularly liked this article I found on Medilogy. Here is an excerpt:
“Isabel Ferreira and her colleagues at the University of Porta in Portugal have found that marinating meat in beer or red wine marinades reduces the amount of carcinogens by up to 89% in some trials. To the surprise of many, beer was actually more efficient at cutting down on the amount of heterocyclic amines than red wine because of its water retaining sugars. Cooking foods in various condiments including olive oil, garlic marinade, lemon juice, or vitamin E powder also helps significantly reduce the amounts of cancer causing compounds in not only red meats, but also grilled chicken. The antioxidants and polyphenols in green tea help excrete HAs from our bodies.” Click here to read the entire article.
After reading the results of this study, I want a steak! Summer is right around the corner and I’m ready to start grilling again. I found a great recipe for Beer and Brown Sugar Ribeye Steak on Food Republic that incorporates a beer marinade.
Photo Courtesy of http://www.foodrepublic.com
So, next time you’re cooking a steak, why not marinate it in your favorite beer? Doing so will make the meat more tender, add some flavor and reduce the amount of carcinogens. Bon Apetit!
Head Over Beers 