Does reheated food pose health risks? Learn to avoid problems | Well-being

The habit of preparing daily food takes time and not everyone has the means to cook each of their meals every day. A survey carried out by MindMiners, in 2021, in all regions of Brazil, showed that only 41% of respondents usually cook at home every day. These people end up consuming reheated foodshowever, the consumption of these foods can be harmful to health.

“Any food that is not refrigerated and reheated properly can pose a health risk. When this process is carried out incorrectly, there may not be the necessary heat and time to destroy some pathogenic bacteria that may have developed in the food.”warns the nutritionist, PhD in Food Science and Technology and professor of the Nutrition course at Positivo University, Mariana Etchepare.

According to the nutritionist, these pathogenic bacteria They can even develop in foods such as rice and beans, which are often consumed reheated and can cause food poisoning. “Bacillus cereus, for example, which grows in cereals, can proliferate in rice if it is kept at room temperature after cooking, before the next meal”advises Mariana.

Bacteria cause food poisoning

Various types of food, such as meat, poultry, fish and seafoodif heated improperly, can harbor bacteria and cause food poisoning. Pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with weaker immune systems are more vulnerable to these problems.. In these cases, care must be taken.

When someone is affected by food poisoning, the symptoms usually include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. They usually disappear within a few days, but food poisoning with bacteria can cause serious complications, such as organ damage, severe dehydration, neurological disorders, and even death.

The risks of microwaves

The nutritionist also draws attention to the use of microwaves and the care needed to heat food safely. She states that the main problem is that, in it, the food is heated irregularly, and, in some parts, it does not reach a safe internal temperature for consumption.

“Therefore, when heating food in the microwave, it is essential to use safe containers, check the internal temperature of the food to ensure it is adequately heated, and follow food safety guidelines specific to each type of food,” teaches the nutritionist, in an interview with Terra. One way to help with more uniform heating is to stir the food and cover the dish with a lid, to help retain moisture.