Why Should We Eat Cooked Food? (10 Surprising Reasons)

Why should we eat cooked food? This question has still been putting many of us in a dilemma.

We all know that food is an essential part of our life and sustenance because everybody needs it to thrive and survive. 

However, how the food gets prepared and consumed plays a significant role in our health and well-being.

While raw food might be tempting to some people, it is not always the safest and healthiest choice because foods that are raw contain all sorts of bacteria, from E. coli to salmonella, which can make you fall ill.

People have been following the tradition of cooking food for centuries & it is also one of the most common food preparation methods.

In this article, We will discuss various benefits of cooking food & why you should always prefer it over raw food.

What is Cooked food?

Cooked food is those food items heated through a process called cooking by making use of heat or fire. It is a process to kill various bacteria and other micro-orgasms from raw ingredients such as vegetables, raw meat, and grains to turn them into edible and flavorful resources. 

Some commonly used cooking methods are baking, frying, roasting, grilling, steaming, poaching, simmering, and broiling. 

Now the question is why people prefer cooked food? It is because it is highly digestible and has a better taste and texture than raw food.

But that is not it! There are various other reasons which we will discuss below.

Why should we eat cooked food?

1. Kills harmful bacteria

As stated above, raw food contains harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, E.coli, and listeria, causing foodborne illnesses. Cooking food at the right temperature will kill all these bacteria, thus making the food safer to consume. In addition, it also will ensure our overall health and well-being.

2. Increases Nutrient Absorption

Did you know that certain food items have a complex structure of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are not easily digestible? Cooking helps us by breaking down these complex structures & making it easier for our bodies to absorb the nutrients.

For example, vegetables have tough fiber and cell walls, which breaks down due to cooking, making nutrients more available for absorption. 

In addition, it also helps release certain nutrients, bound to other components of food, thus making them more bio-available.

3. Improves digestion

Have you got digestive problems? Are you suffering from issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea? If yes, then you should highly consider cooking. 

Prefer consuming cooked food even if you are a healthy person because cooking breaks down the tough fiber and other components present in the food, making it easier for our body to break down and absorb the nutrients.

4. Enhances taste and aroma

Consider cooking food if you are a person of flavor and aroma. Cooking is known to bring out flavors & aromas of food, thus making it more appetizing & enjoyable. 

Cooking food at a very high temperature gives birth to a chemical phenomenon known as the “Maillard Reaction” responsible for the brown color and rich flavor of the cooked food.

That is not it! Cooking also helps caramelize the natural sugars present in the food, thus increasing its sweetness and flavor.

5. Increases Shelf Life

Have you ever noticed mold formation on some food items? We are sure most of you might have. Some food has low shelf life resulting in spoilage & mold growth. 

Now the easiest solution to this is cooking which eliminates the bacteria and microorganisms that may cause food to spoil or go bad. It will also reduce food wastage and help in saving tons of money by preventing the need to throw away expired or spoiled food.

6. Makes Food More Versatile

Cooking food allows you to be more versatile by providing you with an option to prepare a variety of dishes and flavors. You can even try a combination of different ingredients and flavors, resulting in new & exciting dishes.

You can also try out new cuisines & flavors, making your mealtime more enjoyable and pleasurable.

7. Increased Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidants are substances known to prevent or delay cell damage. Cooking increases the antioxidant levels in the food, which protects our bodies from the damage caused by free radicals. 

For example, cooking tomatoes can increase the level of a chemical named  “lycopene“, a powerful antioxidant known to reduce the risk of cancer and heart diseases.

8. Preserves Nutrients

Yes, cooking indeed destroys nutrients, but it also helps preserve others. For example, Vitamin C and Folate, which is susceptible to oxidation. 

It also contributes to activating certain nutrients, making them more bioavailable.

9. Cultural Significance

Cooking is necessary, not just to preserve our health and well-being, but also our traditions and cultural identity. Cooking allows us  to connect with our heritage and to pass down the cooking techniques & recipes to our future generations.

Each and every culture has their own unique cuisine & the only way to preserve and celebrate it is by cooking. Last but not least, it is also a way of appreciating the diversity of the world’s cuisines, from Italian pasta to Spicy Indian curries.

Conclusion:

From above, we can already make out that cooking food has various benefits, Whether it is increasing food safety or enhancing the taste & aroma. Cooking has significantly helped us evolve & in bringing people together throughout history. 

Raw food might have various benefits, but no one can decline the contributions of cooked food, whether in terms of health, culture, or social connections.

Also Read:

• Benefits of homemade food
• What is the difference between healthy food and junk food