Due to a rather busy schedule, I have a habit of cooking meals in larger portions for several meals, sometimes even lasting a few days.
However, this morning, I read a newspaper article about a case of a woman diagnosed with cancer due to the habit of reheating leftovers from the previous day, which got me concerned.
The story was shared by Dr. Hong Vinh Tuong from the Tri-Service General Hospital Nei-Hu Branch in China. The woman in question, named Tuyet (in Taiwan, China), is in her middle age and works as a homemaker, taking care of her three growing children. Every day, she cooks a lot of dishes so her children can eat comfortably. However, each meal often results in leftovers, and to avoid waste, Tuyet has a habit of reheating these leftovers for the following day’s meals.
Until recently, about three months ago, Tuyet unexpectedly noticed blood in her stool. Upon visiting the hospital for examination, she was informed by the doctors that she was in stage 2 of bowel cancer.
Why the habit of reheating leftovers can lead to cancer
Many individuals often reheat leftovers to avoid waste, but according to experts, this habit is highly dangerous and can even be a cause of cancer.
Regarding this matter, Dr. Hong Vinh Tuong explained that green vegetables overnight can become altered and generate nitrites. This substance can convert into nitrosamine and cause cancer, particularly stomach cancer, bowel cancer, and esophageal cancer.
Additionally, purchasing takeout and leaving uneaten portions overnight, then reheating them the next day, is also harmful. According to Dr. Tuong, certain research outcomes reveal that after reheating a pot of soup for around 30 minutes, the nitrite content significantly increases. If you consume this alongside protein-rich foods containing amino acids, it creates cancer-causing agents known as nitrosamines.
How reusing leftover food from the previous meal affects health
According to experts, the habit of reusing leftover food from previous meals may pose several risks:
- Inducing nausea and diarrhea: Leftover food, if not properly preserved, can spoil and lead to nausea or even persistent diarrhea. This occurs because leftover food often produces nitrite, a highly toxic substance when combined with body protein or consumed with certain foods.
- Risk of bacterial infection: Leftover food kept from one meal to the next, particularly those kept overnight or longer, can breed bacteria that cause diseases. Especially in hot weather like summer, it’s more prone to spoilage, increasing the growth of molds and bacteria on the food, which, if consumed, can lead to infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis.
- Harm to liver, kidneys, and cancer: Eating leftover processed food for the next meal can significantly damage the liver, kidneys, and may even increase the risk of cancer.
