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Journalism of Courage
When you are losing a race against deadlines every day and spending less and less time in the kitchen, a microwave can seem the best solution. But is food cooked and heated in the by-now ubiquitous gadget safe? Despite various studies, there is little conclusive evidence to swing the judgment either way. We spoke to a few doctors to come up with a few dos and don8217;ts of two-minute cooking.
Play safe: just heat
It8217;s best to use microwaves to heat food. Cooking vegetables the Indian way leads to 8220;excessive nutrient loss8221; says nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma. A microwave consists of a magnetron tube, which converts electricity into high frequency microwaves, which cause food molecules to vibrate rapidly. The resulting friction produces heat, which cooks the food. 8220;There is still doubt about what does this friction actually does to the nutrition levels of the food,8221; says Dr Sharma. 8220;So it8217;s best to stick to heating food. There is a lesser risk of nutrition loss.8221;
Cover it right
While early scientific concerns revolved around the microwave rays, now doctors advise caution about the cooking vessels used. 8220;One should stick to containers labelled 8216;microwave safe8217;. Any inferior-quality plastic container should be avoided as these can8217;t sustain the heat and may contaminate the food. Glass or ceramic bowls and trays are a better option,8221; says Dr Sakshi Chawla, nutritionist, Fortis Healthcare. It8217;s important to cover food to avoid direct penetration of heat waves. 8220;Be careful about the quality of covers used. Certain inferior quality covering films have PVC content, which when heated releases dioxins into the food. The contaminated food can lead to anything from birth defects to cancers. Even if PVC-proof, plastic covers should not be in direct contact of the food,8221; says Dr A K Anand, head, department of radiation oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute.
Don8217;t boil baby8217;s milk
According to experts, there are chances that microwaving milk may convert some of its amino acids into carcinogens. 8220;One should follow the traditional heating process,8221; says Dr Sharma. 8220;According to some recent research, heating the milk bottle in a microwave can cause slight changes in the milk. In infant formulas, there may be a loss of some vitamins,8221; adds Dr Viveka Kaul, diabetes educator and nutritionist, Apollo Hospitals.
Pacemaker warning
If you have had a pacemaker installed, stay away from microwave rays as they can make your pulse beats erratic. While those with traditional pacemakers are at a greater risk, even the modern ones are not foolproof. 8220;The electromagnetic field of the microwave may cause sudden aberration in the pulse of those surviving on pacemakers. Microwave-cooked food, however, has no direct impact on the health,8221; says Dr Anand.
