Overcooked foods present their own health problems

It's always a bit risky to eat food that's been cooked medium rare or, aghast, rare. Even though some people oddly have no issue consuming certain foods raw (sushi, steak tartare, carpaccio), when it comes to burgers, steaks, chicken and some types of fish, they are maniacal about making sure that it is cooked well enough. But is all this effort to avoid certain health issues actually opening us up to new ones?

The University of California conducted a study on this very topic, finding that it's much easier to digest raw food than it is food that has been overcooked. And, what's more, food that's been overcooked can actually trigger an immune response, leading your body to believe that it's under attack. This can sometimes result in allergy symptoms if the food gets into your blood or, if it lodges in your brain, severe headaches.

Perhaps the safest method is to avoid both undercooked (or not cooked at all) and overcooked food altogether. Eating food that's boiled, steamed or stewed -- rather than baked or roasted -- can also cut down your risk of encountering any problems.