Men’s mental health

Awareness of the importance of recognizing mental health issues has grown considerably in recent years. Prominent individuals from various industries have come forward to speak about their struggles, and that has done much to remove the stigma that was long associated with mental health.

Though recognition of the importance of addressing mental health issues has increased in recent years, there’s still much to be done, particularly regarding men and mental health. A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Men’s Health noted that men have historically been more hesitant than women to seek help for mental health difficulties. That hesitancy can have grave consequences, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that men are more likely to die by suicide than women.

Recognition of the symptoms that suggest someone is experiencing mental health troubles could compel men to seek treatment or lead to their family members encouraging them to get help. The NIMH notes that men and women can experience the same mental health condi- tions, such as depression and anxiety. However, that does not mean their experiences will be the same. In fact, experiences can differ widely among men as well. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that men who exhibit stereotypically masculine personality traits often have worse mental health outcomes than men who do not exhibit such traits.

Despite the differences in responses to mental health issues, it’s still important for individuals to learn the symptoms of mental health issues. Such recognition may compel individuals to seek help for their own issues or serve as warning signs to concerned friends and family members, potentially prompting them to initiate discussions that can save a loved one’s life.

According to the NIMH, the following are some symptoms of mental health problems.

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness

• Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

• Increased worry or feeling stressed

• Misuse of alcohol and/ or drugs

• Sadness or hopelessness

• Suicidal thoughts

• Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

• Engaging in high-risk activities

• Aches, headaches, and/ or digestive problems without a clear cause

• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior

• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life

• Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people grilled foods.

The NIMH urges individuals in crisis or people who suspect someone is in crisis to call 911 or to call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. More information about mental health can be found at nimh.nih.gov.

Grilling is a staple of summertime, and over the course of a typical summer the average individual may attend a number of backyard barbecues where the main entrees are staples like grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Though grillmasters set out to create the perfect grilled foods, nearly everyone who has manned a grill at one point or another has allowed some food to char. Charred foods may appeal to some and not look too appetizing to others. The appearance of charred foods is perhaps one reason why so many people assume they’re unhealthy. Such assumptions are not necessarily false nor are they entirely accurate, which is why anyone can benefit from gaining a greater understanding of charred foods.

What constitutes a charred food?

Though there’s no criteria to define if a food is charred or not, the term “charred foods” typically refers to foods cooked on a grill or over an open flame that are extra crispy and might have turned dark black during cooking. Vegetables, meat and hot dogs can char somewhat easily on a grill if temperatures are not controlled or if cooks don’t keep a close eye on their grills.

Why Wait?

What causes charring?

Charring occurs when foods are exposed to heat for long periods of time. According to Science X, an online network that covers science, technology and medical news, when foods are exposed to heat for a long time on a grill, non-carbon atoms in the food break down, and the result is that distinct black appearance and crispy flavor that people identify with charred foods. Does consuming charred foods increase cancer risk?

Many people are familiar with the notion that consuming charred foods can increase cancer risk. That notion is not entirely accurate, but it’s not something that’s been made up, either.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology notes that charred foods have been linked to cancer in animal studies. That link is due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are two chemicals that develop naturally when cooking meat. The fat and juice that drips into a grill’s drip pat when cooking meats produces smoke and flames that contain PAHs that ultimately coat the meat as it cooks. HCAs are naturally produced when cooking meat at high temperatures. The ASCO notes that animal studies have found that rodents fed diets with high doses of PAHs and HCAs developed various types of cancer, including breast cancer and colon cancer, among others.

Though studies have found a link between charred foods and cancer risk in animals, the ASCO reports that studies in humans have found no such connection. However, the ASCO warns that this research is ongoing and that any potential link between charred foods and cancer risk could be determined by how individuals’ bodies metabolize PAHs and HCAs.

So there may be no right answer to the question asking if there’s a link between charred food consumption and cancer risk in humans.

Charred foods have a unique flavor that some people love and others loathe. Though there’s not yet definitive evidence to suggest charred foods cause cancer, individuals are still urged to exercise caution and avoid overconsumption of foods with a crispy, charred