Many people believe that cooking or reheating food in a microwave can be harmful to our health. What is the reality?
One of the concerns regarding cooking food in a microwave is its inability to eliminate harmful bacteria, and the electromagnetic waves may pose health risks… However, this becomes a non-issue if we use the microwave correctly, according to IFLScience.
Microwaves do not heat food evenly like ovens. (Photo: Adobe Stock: grzymkiewicz).
Microwaves and Bacteria
Microwaves do not heat food evenly like ovens. Therefore, if food is left intact while reheating in a microwave, some parts may not reach a high enough temperature for a long enough time to kill bacteria.
The solution is to follow cooking instructions accurately; stir, rotate, or flip the food halfway through the microwaving time, and consider using a food thermometer to check the temperature.
Microwaves and Nutrition
Many people believe that cooking with a microwave can lead to a loss of nutrients. However, any cooking method can result in the degradation of some heat-sensitive nutrients. For instance, boiling vegetables in excessive water can cause nutrient loss.
To retain nutrients, the best cooking method is to cook quickly, heating the food for the shortest time possible, and using as little water as needed, according to Harvard Health Publishing from Harvard University (USA).
Microwaves meet these standards entirely. A 2023 study published in the journal Heliyon indicated that among microwave cooking methods, steaming and boiling, microwaving is the most effective method for preserving the nutritional value of vegetables.
Microwaves and Plastic
There are safe types of plastic for use in microwaves. (Photo: AFP).
Many people are also concerned that some compounds in plastic food storage containers, such as phthalates, may leach into food when heated or cooked in a microwave.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of phthalates in food packaging, including nine types of phthalates that are approved for use. This means that food packaging made from plastic containing one of these nine phthalates is safe for use in microwaves.
A recent study also found that heating plastic containers in microwaves could release microplastic particles into the food being tested. However, such findings have yet to prove that the amount of microplastics leached is harmful to humans.
Microwaves and Energy Leakage Risks
Microwaves are designed to contain their energy, as long as the microwave is well-maintained. According to the World Health Organization, even if a microwave is damaged and leaks, the energy from the microwave (electromagnetic waves) can only cause thermal damage (burns) to the body if exposed for a prolonged period at high power levels.
Tips for Using Microwaves
- Avoid wrapping food in aluminum foil or using metal containers in the microwave as this may create sparks.
- Do not use the microwave to cook or reheat certain types of food, such as eggs.
- Since microwaves heat food unevenly, stir and check the food for doneness to prevent foodborne illness caused by bacteria.
- Avoid reheating food in the microwave more than once, especially rice.
Structure and Operating Principle of Microwaves
