Are microwaves evil?
I’ve been reading a lot of things recently that disparage the microwave oven as a bad thing to do to your food. Not only are they regularly accused of depleting the nutrients in foods, but they have also been linked to high levels of carcinogens and other stuff you shouldn’t eat.
Self-help guru and health-conscious vegan Steve Pavlina gave up his microwave and couldn’t be happier about it, claiming that food is more appealing without the speed-heating machine. He even found his tea to be more satisfying and “energetic”.
Another article I found comes out in defense of the microwave, claiming that it is no more damaging to food than other cooking methods. The author concludes that it is the cooking time and amount of water added that effects how much nutritious flavinoids are depleted, regardless of cooking method, so best to eat veggies as raw as possible and cook them with as little water as possible.
I can’t say that I’ve seen enough evidence to convince me to give up my microwave entirely (although I don’t use it that often to begin with), but some of the things I’ve read have gotten my attention. What do you think? Do you avoid the microwave at all costs, or do you revere it for its speedy-food-heating qualities?
I think that microwaves are just another source of energy used to heat food. There is no evidence that they can alter the nutritional value of food.
I think the anti-microwave sites are just being alarmist.
I was about to warm up my herbal tea in the microwave bcs it had gone cold just before reading this!!
I am not surprised to read these findings. The method of cooking is totally unnatural, so that’s what happens when we play with Nature.
I have heard things like this many times, and i am some what convinced that they do alter your food a bit. A very close friend of the family has told us this many times and has explained it in detail, i urge you all to find out more information before you continue your use of the microwave oven.
I’ve seen an experiment with two plants – one that gets microwaved water and the other that gets boiled water. Everyone claims that the one with the microwaved water dies after a couple weeks, whereas the other doesn’t. (google this!)
So I’m trying it myself, right now, with two plants. We’ll see if it’s true or not…
Jonathan, that’s interesting. Let me know what you find out, please.