“The true story of the invention of the microwave oven is that it was invented utterly by accident one fateful day more than seventy years ago, when a Raytheon engineer named Percy Spencer was testing a military-grade magnetron. A radar magnetron is a sort of electric whistle that instead of creating vibrating sound creates vibrating electromagnetic waves. On that fateful day in 1946, Spencer was testing one of his magnetrons actually trying to improve the power level of the magnetron tubes that are used in radar sets, when he stuck his hand in his pocket, preparing for the lunch break, is when he made a shocking discovery: The peanut cluster bar had melted. Says Spencer, “It was a gooey, sticky mess.” He then tried boiling an egg which over boiled and splatted on his face.”
There was no looking back —
How does a microwave oven function?
“A microwave oven is an electric oven that heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. This induces polar molecules in the food to rotate, vibrate, spin around and clash to produce thermal energy and heat in a process known as dielectric heating.”
I might say ; This one gadget invented for humans, is the most used by people of all ages, it is highly convenient, it is simple and it is incredibly fast.
With the turn of ages, it is believed that this object of great convenience does produce harmful radiation and damages healthy nutrients while cooking and reheating food.
Let’s debate the facts on “to nuke or not to nuke” the microwave oven —
Does microwave cooking and heating rob food of its nutrients?
To Nuke —
The microwave oven heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation, the molecules in the food to rotate, vibrate, spin around and clash to produce thermal energy that heat the food, we all know that the more food is cooked or processed or heated again and again, the more they are robbed of their nutrients. This exposure to high heat waves leaves the food nutrient free and valueless for the human body.
A study shows that in just one minute of microwave cooking cancer-fighting compounds in garlic were destroyed, versus forty-five minutes in a conventional oven. This is true for multiple vegetables.
Not to Nuke —
Every form of cooking whether it is boiling, pressure-cooking, frying, roasting, or baking reduces nutrient value in food. Factors to be taken into account to save nutritional value is the method of cooking that uses less cook time and lower temperature. Microwave cooking does take shorter cook time and lower temperatures than conventional cooking methods hence known to preserve nutrients more than other conventional cooking methods.
A study shows that microwave cooking preserves more nutrients than pressure cooking or boiling or frying food.
Another study shows that mild microwaving increased the anticarcinogenic compound sulforaphane in broccoli.
So yes microwave cooking does preserve more nutrients.
Can the radiation harm you?
To Nuke —
We all know that microwave ovens produce electromagnetic radiation and it is concerning, with many studies endorsing that it is cancer causing. Besides, the radiation waves can harm the fetus if a pregnant woman stands in front of a microwave oven when it is on. These are huge concerns and validate the point that microwaves should be done away with.
Not to Nuke —
Agreed microwave ovens produce radiation but it is not the type of radiation associated with atomic bombs and nuclear disasters. It is the similar or may be more radiation than we get from using our cell phones. Even light produces electromagnetic radiation. The bottom line is that not all radiation is bad. If you are careful to stand a foot away, not peep into the window when the microwave is on, make sure your microwave is in good condition (the metal shields and metal screen over the window is intact, the door shuts properly) all safety norms that prevent radiation from leaving the oven will be in place.
What examples would you use to promote the use of microwave ovens or otherwise?
To Nuke —
Conventional methods of cooking can be used under direct supervision when cooking and food is removed from the fire as soon as it is ready, no over cooking takes place or burning of food, leaving the food healthy for consumption, tasty and non- carcinogenic.
Food in microwaves is very often not evenly heated or cooked, which can double the workload of preparing food daily.
As much as they say heat food only in Bisphenol-A (BPA) plastic containers, it is known that plastic when heated leach hormone disrupting compounds into your food. Food is mostly heated in plastic containers in the microwave oven bringing on exposure to diseases such as cancer, thyroid disorders and obesity.
Microwave ovens are not as effective as conventional cooking methods at killing bacteria and other pathogens, making food poisoning rampant.
Multiple cases of second-degree burns or scalding are reported with the explosion of food, especially liquids due to poor judgment of heat time.
Not to Nuke —
As said earlier, microwaving heats food in shorter time frames and lower temperatures rarely surpassing 100 degrees (boiling point of water and high heat frying) This may reduce the formation of harmful compounds like nitrates which is produced due to excessive heat while cooking.
In the early days the quality of plastic was questionable, but today special attention by the FDA and other safety federations to strictly adhere to safety norms for the protection of human health is in place and BPA plastic containers are freely and cost effectively available.
Once you get used to all the precautions of using the correct containers to heat food, know the heat time it takes, use it on the rotating turntable for even heating, heating food sufficiently to ensure all microorganisms are killed, mixing whatever microwaved or letting it cool before you eat, the microwave oven can be the biggest boon for a household.
Whether you make the choice to nuke or not to nuke the microwave oven from your life, ponder a bit on the debate. After all life is all about what is convenient, what works best to keep your daily routine simple, easy and healthy.
Your life — Your choice.
