I have heard and read conflicting advice about microwaving food. Some say that the food loses its vitamins and other precious nutrients. Some say that the radiation is "transmited" to the food and causes cancer. Some nutrition experts recommend microwaving food (re-heat) for the convinience, but don't mention anything about the supposed dangers. Well, I am all confused. Can someone please share a source of reliable info or your unbiased opinion?
Safety of microwaves?
- Thread starter Mariela
- Start date
Miss Lee
Cathlete
I don't know anything about the "safety" of microwave ovens. My understanding is that foods supposedly retain their vitamins and nutrients when microwaved. Personally, I only use mine to reheat a cup of coffee or to pop corn. I prefer to use my stove/oven--I think food tastes better when cooked by conventional methods.
I don't know anything about cancer risks. I'm personally not worried about it. Microwaves have been around for a very long time.
Michele
I don't know anything about cancer risks. I'm personally not worried about it. Microwaves have been around for a very long time.
Michele
luvtorun
Cathlete
Microwaves, when working properly, aren't harmful. My brother is a reactor operator in a nuclear plant and he explained the difference in the rays used in a microwave at one time to me but I can't remember specifics. I'll ask him to explain this to me again and will let you know.
kaykay
Cathlete
Hi, If you go to herbalhealer.com and go down the main page there is a very good article on microvaves and the effects on people. Yes, microwaves have been around for a while, but now more people are getting cancer too. I don't know. Just a thought. I have also heard the food looses its nutritional value. I still tend to use it because it is so quick.
kathryn
Cathlete
I've mostly read that nutrients are retained.
More than the microwaves themselves, it's what you microwave IN that can be dangerous. Many plastics can leave harmful substances in food if the food is heated in them. Plastic wrap touching the surface of the food when microwaving can be a problem as well.
I always take microwaveable food out of the plastic container it comes in and put it in a glass or ceramic dish to microwave.
Radiation can't be "transmitted" to the food (where did you hear that?) but it can change the molecules in the food. I'd be much more concerned about eating irradiated foods (not microwaved) than using a microwave.
More than the microwaves themselves, it's what you microwave IN that can be dangerous. Many plastics can leave harmful substances in food if the food is heated in them. Plastic wrap touching the surface of the food when microwaving can be a problem as well.
I always take microwaveable food out of the plastic container it comes in and put it in a glass or ceramic dish to microwave.
Radiation can't be "transmitted" to the food (where did you hear that?) but it can change the molecules in the food. I'd be much more concerned about eating irradiated foods (not microwaved) than using a microwave.
Here is an exerpt from a science book, written for children, on how microwaves work.
"Inside your microwave is a device that sends out microwaves. They are set at a frequency that will affect water and fat molecules. They are the same microwaves we use to send long distance phone calls, satellite TV and radar. The waves change the electrical field and that causes the molecules to flip and spin. When they hit each other, friction causes heat" p. 84.
Church, J. (1993). "You can with beakman: science stuff you can do" Andrews and McMeel: Kansas City, KS.
From my understanding microwaves are safe as long as you aren't the one being microwaved (joke). However, I have heard that, just like some odors can get trapped in plastic, some plastic chemicals can leach into your food. I have to admit that even with this knowledge I still warm some things up in my plastic tupperware.
Hope you find this information helpful.
Keli
"Inside your microwave is a device that sends out microwaves. They are set at a frequency that will affect water and fat molecules. They are the same microwaves we use to send long distance phone calls, satellite TV and radar. The waves change the electrical field and that causes the molecules to flip and spin. When they hit each other, friction causes heat" p. 84.
Church, J. (1993). "You can with beakman: science stuff you can do" Andrews and McMeel: Kansas City, KS.
From my understanding microwaves are safe as long as you aren't the one being microwaved (joke). However, I have heard that, just like some odors can get trapped in plastic, some plastic chemicals can leach into your food. I have to admit that even with this knowledge I still warm some things up in my plastic tupperware.
Hope you find this information helpful.
Keli