New Delhi: There’s no denying the fact that microwave ovens have made our lives easier, largely because they speed up the process of cooking or reheating food, as compared to other conventional cooking methods. However, a lot has been said about microwaves, including claims that microwaving food may be bad for the health and that it kills nutrients in your food, or at its worse, emits radiation in the environment. However, others have argued that microwaving food may not pose any health risks and that it does not damage your food.
A recent article by Harvard Health Publishing claims stated that “microwave ovens cook food using waves of energy that are similar to radio waves but shorter. These waves are remarkably selective, primarily affecting water and other molecules that are electrically asymmetrical – one end positively charged and the other negatively charged. Microwaves cause these molecules to vibrate and quickly build up thermal (heat) energy.” This article debunks some common myths about microwaving food. Take a look below. Read: Microwaving food in plastic containers? You may turn infertile
Whether it is from a microwave or a regular oven, some nutrients, such as vitamin C, in the food break down when exposed to heat. In fact, cooking with a microwave might be better when it comes to preserving nutrients because microwaves take shorter to cook. “As far as vegetables go, cooking them in water robs them of some of their nutritional value because the nutrients seep out into the cooking water,” states the report by Harvard Health Publishing.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food cooked in a microwave oven is as safe, and has the same nutrient value, as food cooked in a conventional oven, as long as you implement those safety standards.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) said that microwaves do not make food radioactive, and do not use x-rays or gamma rays, which can damage DNA inside the cells and result in cancer. Microwaves heat food, but they do not change the chemical or molecular structure of it. This means they do not make food anymore carcinogenic. Moreover, there is no evidence that microwaves pose a health risk to people when used appropriately, the organisation added.
But, damaged or broken microwaves could pose a hazard to people as they can leak a higher amount of radiation. Yet, you can reduce your risk or exposure to microwave hazards by following the prescribed safety measures and ensuring that your machine works properly.
Meanwhile, studies have found that heating food in plastic containers in microwaves may release cancer-causing chemicals from the plastic into the food. Scientists have also warned that microwaving food in plastics puts you at a higher risk of infertility, hypertension, obesity, diabetes. Hence, experts suggest using glass containers and to avoid or reduce the use of plastic as much as possible.
As per the USDA, big cuts of meat should be cooked on medium power (50%) for longer periods, and not on high power (100%). This will allow the heat to reach the centre of the food without overcooking outer areas. In addition to this, special care must be taken while cooking or reheating meat, poultry, or fish to make sure they are prepared properly and are safe to consume. Other safe microwaving tips recommended by USDA include –
- Stirring or rotating food midway through the microwaving time to eliminate cold spots where harmful bacteria can survive.
- The USDA also suggests that when partially cooking food in the microwave oven to finish cooking on the grill or in a conventional oven, one must transfer the microwaved food to the other heat source immediately.
- Using a food thermometer or the oven’s temperature probe to determine whether the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature.
However, it is not recommended to cook whole, stuffed poultry in a microwave oven. The reality is that microwave energy does not penetrate well in thicker pieces of food, requiring to kill potentially dangerous micro-organisms. Hence, this can be harmful to health and can lead to food poisoning on account of undercooked meat.
Article source: https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/is-microwaving-food-bad-for-your-health-3-microwave-myths-and-facts-you-need-to-know/276325