Does stinky tofu really cause cancer? Joyce Cheng's nutritionist warns: 3 tips to prevent disease and cancer risks

Stinky tofu is one of the representative snacks in Taiwan's night markets. Its unique spicy aroma and dense and juicy taste are deeply loved by people. However, recently, a message circulating on messaging software that "eating stinky tofu can cause cancer" has made many people worried. So, does stinky tofu really increase the risk of cancer? Nutritionists warn: 3 key points to prevent disease and cancer risks.

Stinky tofu is rich in vitamin B12 and plant lactic acid bacteria

Nutritionist Cheng Hsin-yi from the Taiwan Cancer Foundation said that before discussing this topic, we should first talk about the production and cooking methods of stinky tofu. Generally speaking, commercially available stinky tofu is mainly made by briefly soaking fresh tofu in "stinky brine" to allow the bacteria and mold in the brine to decompose the protein in the tofu, thereby loosening the tofu's texture and emitting a foul smell.

Stinky tofu is also considered a fermented food. After fermentation, it not only contains rich vitamin B12, which can help promote human metabolism and maintain the health of the nervous system; during the fermentation process, it also produces plant lactic acid bacteria that are beneficial to gastrointestinal function. Moderate consumption is good for human health.

The average calorie content of a serving of fried stinky tofu is over 500 calories. Eating one serving is equivalent to 2 bowls of rice (1 bowl of rice has about 280 calories), which is quite considerable!

3 tips to avoid the risk of disease and cancer

Tip 1: Pay attention to the cooking method of stinky tofu

However, nutritionist Joyce Cheng stressed that the above discussion is only limited to stinky tofu cooked by steaming. This is not the case with the fried stinky tofu, which is loved by Chinese people and has a crispy outside and tender inside. Although high-temperature frying does help to increase its taste and flavor, the high-temperature heating process will also cause the good bacteria it contains to be lost and the calories to double.

Tip 2: Pay attention to the calories of stinky tofu

Take a serving of fried stinky tofu as an example. Its average calorie content exceeds 500 calories. Eating one serving is equivalent to 2 bowls of rice (1 bowl of rice has about 280 calories), which is quite considerable! Moreover, fried stinky tofu not only has the problem of soaring calories and loss of good bacteria, but it is more likely to cause quality changes under high temperatures, increase the production of free radicals and carcinogens, and long-term consumption may endanger human health.

In addition to not recommending fried stinky tofu, spicy stinky tofu is also high in salt and calories. If you consume too much, not only will you fail to take in the expected nutrients, you may also consume a large amount of calories and salt, which will put a burden on your body's functions. You must be careful!

Stinky tofu itself does not cause cancer. On the contrary, stinky tofu is rich in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and plant lactic acid bacteria, which are beneficial to the human body. However, if you consume too much for a long time or do not pay attention to a balanced diet, it may increase the risk of cancer.

In addition, nutritionist Joyce Cheng also reminded that due to the high sodium content of stinky tofu, even if it is steamed stinky tofu, people with a history of high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease should eat it in moderation, or only eat the stinky tofu and not drink the soup, in order to reduce sodium intake.

Stinky tofu itself does not cause cancer. On the contrary, stinky tofu is rich in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and plant lactic acid bacteria, which are beneficial to the human body. However, if you consume too much for a long time or do not pay attention to a balanced diet, it may increase the risk of cancer. For example, deep-fried stinky tofu is high in fat and calories, which can easily lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome, thereby increasing the risk of cancer.

Tip 3: Pay attention to dietary diversity

In addition, nutritionist Joyce Cheng also reminded that stinky tofu is usually a night market snack and not a staple food, so attention should be paid to the diversity of the diet. Appropriate intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other foods can supplement the vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber needed by the body, and help maintain good health.