Can reheating cooked food cause diarrhea?
Feb 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Reheating leftover food may cause diarrhea. During storage, if not properly preserved, leftovers can easily breed bacteria, such as halophilic bacteria and pathogenic Escherichia coli. These bacteria might not be completely eliminated during reheating, thus leading to diarrhea. Additionally, certain foods produce nitrates after cooking. If leftovers are stored for too long, the nitrates can be converted into nitrites.
Generally, reheating leftover dishes may cause diarrhea. The specific analysis is as follows:
During the storage of leftover food, improper preservation can easily lead to bacterial growth, such as halophilic bacteria and pathogenic Escherichia coli. These bacteria may not be completely eliminated during the second heating process, thus causing diarrhea. Meanwhile, some foods produce nitrates after cooking. If leftovers are stored for too long, nitrates can be converted into nitrites. Nitrites are carcinogenic and highly toxic. Long-term consumption of leftovers containing large amounts of nitrites increases the risk of diseases such as diarrhea and digestive system tumors.
During the reheating process of leftovers, nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals may be lost to varying degrees, and the texture of the food also deteriorates. In addition, if leftovers are improperly stored or inadequately heated, it may lead to food spoilage, further increasing the risk of diarrhea. Moreover, some foods may produce substances that are difficult for the human body to digest after being reheated, or may be incompatible with an individual's constitution, thereby causing diarrhea.
To reduce the risk of diarrhea, it is recommended to avoid leftover food in daily diets and try to finish eating in one meal. If it is necessary to store leftovers, they should be kept at low temperatures in the refrigerator and consumed as soon as possible.
