Is it safe to microwave food?
There’s nothing risky about microwave radiation – but there is about heating up plastic.
Despite being a kitchen worker for decades, the microwave is one of the most contentious household appliances. It’s praised as a savior for those who can’t or won’t cook, and other chefs accuse it of single-handedly dragging cooking into the gutter.
Beyond the culinary debates, however, is the question of when microwave cooking is unhealthy.
According to the World Health Organization, there is no need to be concerned about microwave radiation when utilized properly. Other issues, such as whether microwaving food causes nutrient loss or whether heating food in plastic causes hormone disruption, are less evident.
Losing nutrients
According to several studies, microwaved veggies lose part of their nutritious value.
Microwaving broccoli, for example, was shown to eliminate 97 percent of the flavonoids – plant chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties. That’s a third more harm than boiling would cause.
However, earlier research varying the cooking time, temperature, and whether or not the broccoli was in water, according to a 2019 study looking at the nutritional loss of broccoli in the microwave. It was discovered that shorter cooking durations (one minute in the microwave) did not impact nutritional content. Most flavonoids, which are chemicals related to a lower risk of heart disease, may be increased by steaming or microwaving. The researchers concluded, “Under the cooking parameters utilized in this study, microwaving appeared to be a superior technique to preserve flavonoids than steaming.”
However, they discovered that microwaving with too much water (such as that used to boil) resulted in a reduction in flavonoids.
Heating plastic
We frequently microwave foods in plastic containers and wrappers, but some scientists warn that phthalates can be harmful if consumed. These plastic additives can degrade and seep into food when exposed to heat.
In a 2011 investigation, researchers bought over 400 plastic food containers and discovered that the majority of them leaked chemicals that disrupt hormones.
Phthalates are a type of plasticiser that is used to make plastic more flexible. They are typically found in takeout containers, plastic wrap, and water bottles. Hormones and our metabolic system have been proven to be disrupted by them. Phthalates can raise blood pressure and insulin resistance in children, putting them at risk for metabolic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. Fertility problems, asthma, and ADHD have all been linked to exposure.
According to Leonardo Trasande, professor of environmental medicine and population health at NYU School of Medicine in New York, phthalates can affect thyroid hormones. These hormones are important for the brain development of kids during pregnancy, among other things.
Bisphenol (BPA) is a chemical found in many plastic items that has been linked to hormone disruption in research. However, as compared to the number of studies on phthalates, research is restricted.
Radiation safety
The radiation emitted by microwaves is absolutely safe. Microwaves use the same type of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation as lightbulbs and radios. When you put food in a microwave, it absorbs the microwaves, causing water molecules in the food to vibrate and cause friction, which heats the food up.
Electromagnetic waves are absorbed by humans as well. Microwave ovens, on the other hand, emit low-frequency waves that are contained within the microwave. Even if that weren’t the case, Tang claims that the waves are harmless. (Of course, the heat in a microwave isn’t completely safe, so you shouldn’t put a living thing inside one.)
