Buzz
Microwaves offer convenience—perhaps too much convenience. They heat food so quickly that some people have become wary of them. When microwaves were first introduced to kitchens, there were doubts about their ability to heat food in unnatural ways. Does anyone remember the story of the girl who supposedly boiled her brain while drying her hair with a microwave, all because it was believed that microwaves ‘cook from the inside out’?
Though most microwave myths had vanished over time, they seem to be resurfacing. In today’s world, where even the most absurd claims can gain traction, people continue to perpetuate these myths. Just recently, a social media influencer posted a video of microwaving food for their child, only to be met with comments asserting that microwaving ‘takes all the nutrition out of food!’
The misinformation isn’t limited to one individual’s followers. On platforms like TikTok, false claims about microwaves are spreading fast. One clip even referred to microwaved food as ‘the best way to kill yourself, really, really fast.’
What’s the real story here? Are microwaves harmful? Is the food they cook less nutritious compared to food prepared using other methods?
Does microwaving food eliminate nutrients?
No. At least, it doesn’t harm the nutrients any more than other cooking methods would.
Microwaves don’t magically cook food. They work by heating water molecules, and the resulting warmth from the water helps to cook the rest of the food. You can think of it like immersing food in a warm water bath, similar to when you defrost a sauce packet by placing it in a mug of hot water.
What happens to the nutrients during this cooking process? Well, different cooking techniques can impact nutrients in various ways. For instance, boiling can cause some nutrients to dissolve into the water, but that’s not a concern with microwaving because the water that heats up is actually part of the food itself. Some vitamins might degrade when exposed to high heat for extended periods, but they are not completely destroyed. In fact, because microwave cooking is so quick, it is considered one of the best methods for preserving the nutrients in food.
Some studies suggest that microwaving can reduce the vitamin C content of food by 20% to 30%, according to Healthline. However, the same article also points out that boiling can lead to a 50% reduction in vitamin C, and stir-frying can significantly lower vitamin C levels in vegetables. Each cooking method has its drawbacks, but microwaving is not notably worse than others.
Do microwave ovens expose us to radiation?
Yes, technically, but not in the way you might expect.
When we think about radiation, we often mean ionizing radiation, like that from X-rays and nuclear explosions. Exposure to ionizing radiation can cause people and objects to become radioactive, which is why it’s so dangerous.
However, microwaves are a form of non-ionizing radiation. Other types of non-ionizing radiation include visible light, ultraviolet rays, and the infrared radiation from a heat lamp. This category also includes radio waves in all forms, such as those emitted by radio towers, picked up by your car radio, transferred between walkie-talkies, or coming from your wi-fi hotspot and received by your phone or computer. (Microwaves operate on a frequency similar to wi-fi, which is why a microwave with damaged shielding can interfere with your wi-fi connection.)
Microwaves don't generate radiation in the alarming, ionizing way you might fear, and they don't render your food radioactive. Rest assured, no health risks here.
Why is it advised not to heat baby formula in a microwave?
While microwaves are generally safe, there's a specific caution against warming baby formula or food in one. The issue isn't the microwave itself damaging the food, but rather its ability to heat unevenly. If there are hot spots in the bottle or food bowl and the contents aren't properly mixed, it could result in the baby receiving overheated formula. If you've ever used a microwave for your own meals, you're probably aware of this tendency. It's safer to heat the bottle in a warm water bath for more consistent results.
