Fascinating! Who thought a little marinade goes a long way? Researchers in Taiwan's Fu Jen University have recently discovered that marinating meat in soy sauce, sugar or both reduces its risk of causing cancer after cooking.

Here's an excerpt:

Researchers in Taiwan found that marinades made with soy sauce or sugar inhibited the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in pork and eggs as they cooked.

COPs are generated when cholesterol-rich foods are processed or heated, and research suggests that, in excess, the compounds may damage body cells and contribute to ills such as heart disease or cancer.
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Marinating may create the benefit, Chen told Reuters Health, by generating so-called "browning reaction products." These substances are thought to act as antioxidants, which mean they help neutralize COPs and similar molecules that can damage body cells.

Wow! Almost everyone has soy sauce and sugar in the kitchen. I suppose with this study out, a lot of barbeques will be turning decidedly Asian!

Read the full story from Reuters.