Microwave Cooking – A Boon Or A Bane?
Almost every one of us uses a microwave oven for cooking. Amidst the stressful schedules and the hurry burry lifestyle, using a microwave oven is looked upon as a savior since one can cook food in minutes using the oven. With the increase in the number of delusive information regarding microwave cooking floating around the Internet, many of us are ambiguous about the health implications of microwave cooked food. We have come up with a very clear explanation of the health implications of microwave cooking in this article thereby enabling you to understand the reality that underlies microwave cooked food.
Microwaves – What Are they?
Microwaves are just electric and magnetic energy that move together in space. They belong to the radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum and are comparatively very less potent than x rays.
Microwaves pass through non metals like glass, plastic and paper while they are deflected by metals. The remarkable ability of these waves to pass through food is what makes them fit for cooking food.
FDA has started regulating the standards for the manufacture of ovens from 1971. The maximum permissible leakage of microwaves from the ovens is 5 milliwatts per centimeter square for a distance of 2 inches around the oven. Those ovens that adhere to the FDA standards are completely safe for cooking.
Microwave Cooking And Health Implications
The microwaves are produced by the magnetron that is present in the oven. The metallic surfaces around the oven deflect and contain these waves within the compartment which turn causes the food particles to vibrate since these waves pass through the oven-safe containers.
Microwaves heat the food particles from the outer surface. The inner molecule gets cooked only via conduction of heat from the outer surface. As per the reports from FDA, the loss of vitamins and minerals in case of microwave cooking is relatively less since the cooking takes place within very short timeframes and even in the absence of water.
Super heating is microwaves do pose a risk in case of microwave cooking. But, this risk is induced only when liquids are left unattended in the heating mode in ovens for more than the required timeframe. Pacemakers made with the innovative electrical shields have proven to be safe with respect to the meager microwave leakages. Individuals wearing contact lenses need to be careful with microwave cooking since high heat and exposure to microwaves can cause a damage of the same.
High levels of exposure to microwave are associated with short lived infertility problems, minor injuries and painful burns.
Tips For Safe Microwave Cooking
Use over-safe containers for cooking in a microwave. Adhere to the operational procedures recommended by FDA and the manufacturer. Never stand in front of the oven when it is operating. Don’t continue to operate the microwave ovens that have damaged doors or with the door open. While heating liquids, ensure that you do not super heat them at any cost for that might put you under multifarious risks.
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