Barbecues and charred meat Some research suggests that burnt or charred meat may increase the risk of cancer. Substances called heterocyclic amines are formed in foods that are cooked at high temperatures and blackened or charred.eat may affect cancer risk because of the amount of fat in it, the way it is cooked or because big meat eaters miss out on other protective foods such as fruit and vegetables or wholegrain cereals. What we do know is that meat plays an important part in the Australian diet.