"Several studies published since 1990 indicate that cooking muscle meat creates heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are thought to increase cancer risk in humans. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that human subjects who ate beef rare or medium-rare had less than one third the risk of stomach cancer than those who ate beef medium-well or well-done."
"Cooking also creates certain heat-created toxins, advanced glycation end products, otherwise known as AGEs. This reaction occurs both within the body and external to the body. These compounds are absorbed by the body during digestion with about 30% efficiency. Many cells in the body (for example endothelial cells, smooth muscle or cells of the immune system) from tissue such as lung, liver, kidney or peripheral blood bear the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) that, when binding AGEs, contributes to age and diabetes-related chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, renal failure, arthritis, myocardial infarction, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy."
"Also, toxic compounds called PAHs, or Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are formed by cooking, in addition to being a component of cigarette-smoke and car-exhaust fumes. They are known to be carcinogenic."
"Another study has shown that meat heated for 10 minutes at 130 ?C (266 ?F), showed a 1.5% decrease in protein digestibility. Similar heating of hake meat in the presence of potato starch, soy oil, and salt caused a 6% decrease in amino acid content.
There are various scientific reports, such as one by the Nutrition Society, which describe in detail the loss of vitamins and minerals caused by cooking.
It has also been suggested that cooking contributes greatly to global warming."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_foodism#Raw_food_movementIn Belgium, raw meat is consumed by most residents on a daily basis. I don't remember hearing anything about the massive number of Belgium residents keeling over dead on a daily basis. Indeed, last time I checked, they were some of the healthiest people in Europe.