Over the past decade, apartments have become filled with all kinds of technical devices designed to help in everyday life. A person has difficulty remembering how he used to manage without air conditioning, a steamer, food processors and a mixer. The microwave oven has a special place - it is the one that can evenly heat up dinner within a minute and feed the whole family. The idyll of technological progress is spoiled by lonely negative messages - “Microwave damage can threaten your health!”
Harm of microwave ovens: myth or reality
Before you sound the alarm, you need to understand the principles of operation microwave oven. The main mechanism of this household appliances- magnetron. This is the device that studies electromagnetic waves , which they try to scare housewives with. How does a microwave oven work:
- After starting the device, the magnetron begins to emit ultrahigh-frequency radiation.
- The waves (up to 12 cm long) are reflected from the body covered with a special coating and create an electromagnetic field in the middle of the chamber.
- Molecules of water and fat, under the influence of microwave radiation, begin to oscillate chaotically, which leads to heating of the product.
When using a new generation microwave device at home, the harm of the microwave is zero. Now about the quality of food that has been in the working chamber of such an oven:
- Nutrients. Thanks to the rapid heating of the product, the amount of nutrients is retained by 70% more than when cooking on a stove.
- Carcinogen. During standard heat treatment using a frying pan, carcinogenic elements appear on the surface of the product. They accumulate in the body and over time lead to serious illnesses. In a microwave oven, the waves heat the dish directly, and not the dishes, which certainly prevents the appearance of a carcinogen.
With high probability it can be said that the danger of a microwave oven is a far-fetched myth. In terms of the taste of the dish, the health benefits and the time spent on preparing food, the microwave will give odds to any similar household kitchen appliance.
Harm from electromagnetic radiation
The electromagnetic background has increased significantly over the past decade. Yes, the scientific process has brought many useful devices into our lives, but we should not forget about the environmental catastrophe that hangs over all of humanity:
- Low frequency radiation. Household electronics, power lines, electronic room wiring.
- Radio waves. AM and FM radio stations, mobile phones.
- Infrared radiation. Incandescent lamp.
- Ultraviolet radiation. Solarium.
As can be seen from the list of electromagnetic spectra, a microwave oven, or more precisely a magnetron, emits low-frequency radiation. If the electrical appliance did not have protective functions, the influence of microwaves could cause a person to:
- Genetic changes.
- Deviations in the nervous system.
- Reformatting of the pituitary system.
A person can harm his health with the help of microwave waves if he is placed in work area microwave your hand or head. But the design of the equipment includes a fuse that will not allow the magnetron to operate with the door open. And this completely eliminates the occurrence of accidents.
In this video, physicist Petr Pozharov conducts an experiment and measures the electromagnetic background from a regular home microwave:
Microwave damage
The use of microwave waves in the modern world is growing every day. If previously devices equipped with this technology were used in industry, medicine and the military sphere, now such equipment can be seen in the apartment of any average resident of the country:
- Wi-Fi router.
- Microwave oven.
- Radio navigation devices.
- Cellular.
Radiation power similar devices so small that the harm that the human body can receive tends to zero. This, of course, will not happen if the device is fixed. Otherwise, the operation of microwave waves may negatively affect:
- Brain tissue.
- Organs of vision.
For the most suspicious, we note: ultra-low waves quickly dissipate in the atmosphere. Even if, for one reason or another, the microwave transmits harmful radiation, at a distance of half a meter from it (the length of an outstretched arm), the power of the waves decreases by more than 50 times.
Important: make sure the door is in good condition
Waves of low-frequency radiation, like the rays of the sun, have a straight trajectory. Seeing a hard surface in front of you, the signal either weakens significantly or does not pass through the obstacle at all. In the case of a microwave oven, the body of which is made of a special material, the door remains a vulnerable point:
- Minimum clearance. There should not be large gaps between the body and the door. Ideally, these two elements create one whole.
- Special material. The mesh under the glass is made of a special plastic that can receive and absorb harmful radiation.
If there is a new generation model in the kitchen, and it is working properly, there is no need to worry - even if you press your nose against the glass of the door, there will be no negative effects from the microwave on the body.
Microwave in the military sector
In the United States, scientists found a completely different use for microwave waves - the “Ray Gun” was created. The device shoots low-frequency beams and has the following characteristics:
- Radiation frequency - 100 Gigahertz.
- Accurate shooting distance - 1200 meters.
If the US Department of Defense is not yet confident in the effectiveness of the new weapon, workers law enforcement are thinking of using a “Ray Gun” to disperse demonstrations: the beam penetrates 0.5 mm deep into the skin and causes heating internal organs and fabrics. There is no danger to health, but the fervor of the demonstrators is noticeably subsiding.
This you need to know: proper operation of the microwave
Proper operation of the microwave will reduce the cooking time, the service life of the electrical appliance and preserve health for the whole family:
- Tightness. Even a small crumb that gets between the door and the housing can damage the seal of the electrical appliance.
- Dishes. No plastic dishes. Even if there is a sign allowing this, it is best to use glass products.
- Products. Some products are not suitable for cooking in a microwave oven: raw eggs explode under the influence of waves, and oil or fat in the microwave mode high temperature, may ignite.
Damage to a microwave oven if its body is not damaged - false threat. Most likely, therefore, the average person is frightened by manufacturers of alternative household appliances: steamers, ovens and cookers. If you actively use a Wi-Fi router or mobile connection, then you definitely shouldn’t be afraid of household appliances.
Video about the dangers of microwave ovens
In this video, scientist Leonid Stasov will tell you how harmful a microwave oven is and explain everything with scientific point view:
In the modern world, almost every home has a microwave, but many are afraid of microwave waves, explaining this as harmful to the body. WHO studied this topic a long time ago and pointed out those for whom microwave ovens are truly harmful.
Negative Action Facts
Many people use it in Everyday life Microwave cookers, but still cannot understand whether they are harmful to the body. Many articles have been published in magazines about how much the microwave affects the body, that it develops dangerous diseases that ultimately lead to death. Some of these claims can be quickly undermined. A person who does not understand well may believe all the strange phrases that are constantly spoken about a microwave and stop using such a device for heating food altogether.
Of course, cooking in the microwave is allowed. In this case, everyone must understand for themselves exactly which opinion is best to trust. Before buying a stove, you need to carefully study its structure and operating principle.
General structure of the equipment:
- A special magnetron is built into the furnace body, which transmits electromagnetic waves of a certain frequency. Their total length will be determined for comfortable work other devices in the kitchen.
- Electromagnetic radiation can come not only from the oven, but also from electrical appliances and the telephone. But so far there is no information that would prove their significant harm to health.
- The walls of the device are well fenced so as not to transmit radiation over a long distance.
Such a device is considered quite safe for the user’s body. But in this case, it is very important to remember one fact - food should be cooked only in a microwave, the period of use of which does not exceed the prescribed period.
An older model of microwave oven may pose a health hazard. The instructions for such devices often state that you need to be at least one and a half meters away from them.
Evidence from science
Possible harm from microwaves and scientific evidence vary greatly. Some people think that the stove is completely safe for cooking and eating food, while others are sure that heated food leads to dangerous diseases. In this case, you need to rely on evidence, otherwise you can simply get confused in opinions.
The whole truth about such a device will be known only after it is studied more carefully.
When heated, the waves of the oven cause molecules to move, which is why the food becomes warm. It has been scientifically proven that with this process, radiation does not penetrate food more than three centimeters.
Facts from scientific research:
- Microwave exposure leads to the breakdown of the molecular formula of the product.
- When food is heated, carcinogens are created that are very dangerous to the health of the consumer.
- Cancer cells begin to progress rapidly if you regularly eat microwave food.
- Food cooked in a microwave oven has a negative impact on the digestive system, which ultimately leads to decomposition.
Old studies by Soviet scientists say that being near the equipment is very dangerous. Food that has been processed in the oven negatively affects the lymphatic systems, which leads to pathological processes. But modern researchers think that using modern microwave ovens is not at all harmful, since their design is reliably protected and simply does not release radiation outside.
Terms of use
Scientists were able to prove the fact that food heated in the device does not lose its useful components, but retains them in their original state. For comfortable operation of the device, it is very important to first carefully read the instructions for its use, and also clearly know how many years it can be used.
When heating food inside the oven, you can be sure that various E. coli and other microorganisms will disappear, since rapid heating will simply kill them. The stove also does not lead to the breakdown of molecules. stand next to modern models stoves are allowed, because the share of radiation is very small.
Rules of application:
You need to heat a small portion of food at a time. It is prohibited to heat food in metal containers.
During the war in Yugoslavia, on the recommendation of Russian scientists, residents of Belgrade shot down American cruise missiles with household Microwave ovens. When the air raid sounded, they quickly carried out Microwave with an extension cord to the balconies, opened it, pressed the blocking terminal with your finger and pointed the microwave at the cruise missile. (During the day, the cigar of a low-flying rocket is very clearly visible; at night, the flame of its engine is visible). Shot range Microwave ovens up to 1.5 kilometers! Hundreds of Yugoslavs directed the generator beam of their Microwave ovens at an enemy missile. A failure in the electronics of the rocket - and it fell!!!
Of course, the enemy quickly found a way out - by first bombing the power plants. Now, think about it: the slightest microcrack in the soldering of the camera body microwave oven(and they definitely exist!) and... powerful Microwave beam, “shoots” through the walls of apartments at all living things for 1.5 kilometers...
How does it work microwave?
Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic energy, just like light waves or radio waves. These are very short electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light (299.79 km per second). In modern technology, microwaves are used in microwave oven, for long-distance and international telephone communications, transmission of television programs, operation of the Internet on Earth and via satellites. But microwaves are best known to us as a source of energy for cooking - microwave.
Each microwave contains a magnetron, which converts electrical energy into microwave electric field frequency of 2450 Megahertz (MHz) or 2.45 Gigahertz (GHz), which interacts with water molecules in food.
Microwaves bomb water molecules in food, causing them to spin millions of times per second, creating molecular friction that heats the food. This friction causes significant damage to food molecules, breaking or deforming them.
Simply put, microwave causes decay and changes in the molecular structure of food during the radiation process.
Who invented microwaves?
The Nazis invented for their military operations microwave stove - “radiomissor”. The time spent on cooking in this case was sharply reduced, which made it possible to concentrate on other tasks.
After the war, the Allies discovered medical research carried out by the Germans with microwave ovens. These documents, as well as some working models, were transferred to the United States for “further scientific research.” The Russians also obtained a number of such models and conducted extensive studies of their biological effects. As a result, the use microwave ovens It was banned in the USSR for some time. The Soviets have issued an international warning about harmful substances, biological and environmental, from exposure to microwaves.
Eastern European scientists also identified the harmful effects of microwave radiation and created strict environmental restrictions on their use.
Scientific data and facts
In the comparative study “Cooking in microwave oven", published in 1992 in the USA, states:
“From a medical point of view, it is believed that introducing molecules exposed to microwaves into the human body has a much greater chance of causing harm than benefit. food from microwave oven contains microwave energy in molecules that is not present in traditionally prepared foods."
Artificially created in microwave oven Microwave waves based alternating current, produce about a billion polarity changes in each molecule per second. Deformation of molecules in this case is inevitable. It has been noted that amino acids contained in food undergo isomeric changes, and are also converted into toxic forms, under the influence of microwaves produced in microwave oven. A short-term study raised significant concerns about changes in the blood composition of people who consumed heated microwave oven milk and vegetables. Eight other volunteers ate the same foods, but prepared in traditional ways. All products that have been processed in microwave ovens, led to changes in the blood of volunteers. Hemoglobin levels decreased and cholesterol levels increased.
Swiss clinical trials
Dr. Hans Ulrich Hertel participated in a similar study and worked for many years in one of the large Swiss companies. Several years ago, she was fired from her position for disclosing the results of these experiments. In 1991, she and a professor at the University of Lausanne published a study showing that food cooked in... microwave oven, may pose a health hazard compared to food prepared using traditional methods. The article was also presented in the magazine “Franz Weber” No. 19, where it was said that eating food prepared in microwave ovens, has a malignant effect on the blood.
Dr. Hertel was the first scientist to conduct a clinical study on the effects of food from microwave oven on blood and physiology of the human body. This small study reveals the degenerative forces that arise in microwave ovens and food products processed in them. Scientific findings have shown that cooking in microwave oven, changes the nutritional composition of food. This research was carried out together with Dr. Bernard H. Blanc from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Institute of Biochemistry.
At intervals of two to five days, volunteers received one of the following meals on an empty stomach: (1) raw milk; (2) the same milk, heated in the traditional way; (3) pasteurized milk; (4) the same milk heated in microwave oven; (5) fresh vegetables; (6) the same vegetables prepared traditionally; (7) traditionally thawed frozen vegetables; and (8) the same vegetables cooked in microwave oven.
Blood samples were taken from volunteers immediately before each meal. Then blood tests were performed at certain intervals after taking milk and plant products.
Significant changes were found in the blood at meal intervals exposed to microwave oven. These changes included a reduction in hemoglobin and changes in cholesterol composition, especially the ratio of HDL (good cholesterol) to LDL (bad cholesterol). The number of Lymphocytes (white blood cells) increased. All these indicators indicate degeneration. In addition, part of the microwave energy remains in food, consuming which a person is exposed to microwave radiation.
Radiation leads to the destruction and deformation of food molecules. Microwave creates new compounds that do not exist in nature, called radiolytic. Radiolytic compounds create molecular rot - as a direct consequence of radiation.
Manufacturers microwave ovens claim that food is from microwave oven doesn't have big difference in composition, compared to food processed by traditional methods. But not a single public university in the United States has conducted a single study on the effects of altered food in microwave oven on the human body. But there is a lot of research about what will happen if the door microwave oven not closed. Isn't this a little strange? Common sense dictates that attention should be paid to what happens to food cooked in a microwave oven. One can only guess how molecular rot from microwave oven will affect our health in the future!
Carcinogens from microwave oven
In an Earthletter article in March and September 1991, Dr. Lita Lee provides some facts about the work microwave ovens. In particular, she stated that everything microwaves have leaks of electromagnetic radiation, and also deteriorate the quality of food, converting its substances into toxic and carcinogenic compounds. The research summaries summarized in this article show that microwaves, cause much more harm than previously imagined.
Below is a summary Russian studies published by the Atlantis Raising Educational Center in Portland, Oregon. They say that carcinogens were formed in almost all food products exposed to microwave irradiation. Here is a summary of some of these results:
Cooking meat in microwave oven, carries the formation of a known carcinogen -d Nitrosodienthanolamines.
Some of the amino acids found in milk and grain products have been transformed into carcinogens.
Defrosting some frozen fruits converts glucoside to galactoside into carcinogenic substances.
Even a short exposure to microwaves on fresh or frozen vegetables converts alkaloids into carcinogens.
Carcinogenic free radicals were formed by exposure to plant foods, especially root vegetables. Their nutritional value was also reduced.
Russian scientists also discovered a decrease in the nutritional value of food when exposed to microwaves from 60 to 90%!
Consequences of exposure to carcinogens
Creation of cancer agents in protein compounds - hydrolysate. In milk and cereals these are natural proteins that, under the influence microwaves break apart and mix with water molecules, creating carcinogenic formations.
Changes in elementary nutrients result in disorders in the digestive system caused by metabolic disorders.
Due to chemical changes in foods, shifts in the lymphatic system have been noticed, leading to degeneration of the immune system.
The absorption of irradiated food leads to an increase in the percentage of cancer cells in the blood serum.
Defrosting and heating vegetables and fruits leads to the oxidation of the alcoholic compounds they contain.
Exposure of raw vegetables, especially root vegetables, to microwaves promotes the formation of free radicals in mineral compounds that cause cancer.
Due to eating foods prepared in microwave oven, there is a predisposition to the development of cancer of intestinal tissues, as well as general degeneration of peripheral tissues with the gradual destruction of the functions of the digestive system.
microwave oven
Direct proximity microwave oven causes, according to Russian scientists, the following problems:
Deformation of the composition of the blood and lymphatic areas;
Degeneration and destabilization of the internal potential of cell membranes;
Disturbance of electrical nerve impulses in the brain;
Degeneration and decay of nerve endings and loss of energy in the area of nerve centers both in the anterior and posterior central and autonomic nervous systems;
In the long term, the cumulative loss of vital energy, animals and plants that are within a radius of 500 meters from the equipment.
Damage to health caused by food heated in microwave oven
The dissemination of such scientific research is still actively delayed by the industry, supported by the authorities and much of the press. However, it has been proven without a doubt that microwave ovens cause cancer.
The result of direct exposure to radiation is cancer. How directly from radiation leakage from microwave ovens, radars, and indirectly – through the consumption of food exposed to microwave radiation.
Technically, a microwave apparatus produces heat through the action of a high-frequency current with a constant change in the polarity of the substance (2.5 billion per second). This causes frictional heat, which unnaturally and destroys the food. Harmony is disrupted, as is the natural acid-base balance. Nutrients are distorted into unnatural forms.
Our immune system reacts to a damaged molecular structure as it would to a toxin. Changes in the blood resemble changes at the beginning of the cancer process. Since cancer can develop over many years until it becomes noticeable. The dangers of industrial microwaves are often ignored.
In traditional cooking on the stove, in a steamer or oven, food is heated naturally - from the outside in. In a microwave oven - from the inside out. You, of course, have noticed how strangely quickly (minutes!) food heated from a microwave oven, devoid of natural energy, cools down.
Why microwaves dangerous for children?
Some of the amino acids L-proline, which are part of mother's milk, as well as in infant formula, are converted under the influence of microwaves into d-isomers, which are considered neurotoxic (deform the nervous system) and nephrotoxic (toxic to the kidneys). It is a disaster that many children are fed on artificial milk substitutes ( baby food), which become even more toxic with microwave ovens.
Buy microwave oven or not?
All human beings are responsible for their own health, except children, who cannot yet decide for themselves. Each person must therefore decide, using common sense, whether - at his own risk - to use microwave oven or not! This is especially risky for children.
Interesting Facts
An experiment conducted by a girl for school. She divided the filtered water into two parts. I boiled one part on the stove, the other in the microwave. Cooled it down. And watered different water two identical flowers to see if there is a difference in plant growth. She wanted to check whether the structure or energy of water changes due to the microwave. Even she was amazed by the result.
The problem with microwaves has nothing to do with the radiation that people were so worried about. It damages the DNA of food in such a way that the body cannot recognize it. The body envelops such food with fat cells to protect itself from dead food or quickly eliminates it. Now think about all the moms who microwave milk for their kids. Or the Canadian nurse who warmed up blood for a patient's transfusion and accidentally killed him with the dead blood.
But the labels say that microwaves are safe. The proof is in the illustrations of dying plants.
10 reasons to throw away your microwave:
Based on the results of Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical trials, we can no longer tolerate microwaves in our kitchens. Based on the research, we present the following conclusions:
1) Continuous consumption of microwaved food causes irreversible changes in the brain due to the “shortening” of electrical impulses in the brain (depolarization or demagnetization of brain tissue).
2) The human body is unable to metabolize (break down) unknown byproducts from microwaved food.
3) The production of male and female hormones stops or changes with the constant consumption of microwaved foods.
4) The consequences of consuming by-products from microwaved food are irreversible.
5) Minerals, vitamins and nutrients in foods are reduced or altered in such a way that the body no longer receives the benefit or consumes altered proteins that cannot be broken down.
6) Minerals in vegetables turn into carcinogenic free radicals when cooked in microwaves.
7) Microwave foods cause the growth of cancer cells in the stomach and intestines. This explains the rate at which colon cancer cases are spreading in America.
8) Frequent consumption of such foods causes the growth of cancerous blood cells.
9) Constant consumption of such food causes disruption of the immune system through changes in the lymph glands and blood serum.
10) Consumption of such food leads to loss of memory, attention, emotional instability and decreased intelligence.
Microwave ovens appeared in life modern man not so long ago. But for many they have already become the most important attribute of the kitchen after the refrigerator. After all, in a microwave you can not only defrost and heat up a portion of food in a couple of minutes, but also quickly prepare almost any dish. But few people think about back side such a “useful” device, are foods after heat treatment in the microwave healthy?
How does a microwave oven work?
Every microwave oven contains a magnetron, which converts electricity into radio waves. These very short electromagnetic waves are also called microwaves, microwave radiation, or microwave fields. Microwaves with a frequency of 2,450 MHz travel at the speed of light - about 300 km per second - and resonate with water molecules, causing them to oscillate randomly. Microwaves easily penetrate into any food product and bombard water molecules, which are found in all, even the driest, foods. From such an attack, water molecules begin to rotate millions of times per second, creating molecular friction, which leads to heating of the product. This random friction causes significant damage to more than just water molecules, tearing and deforming entire food at the molecular level.
The microwave oven causes breakdown and changes in the molecular structure of food through the radiation process. The more water, the faster the heating occurs. The longer the microwave irradiation time, the hotter the product. Heating in a microwave oven is based on the principle of molecular dipole shift, which, under the influence of electric field occurs in substances containing polar molecules. These substances include water.
The energy of electromagnetic field oscillations leads to a constant shift of molecules, aligning them according to the field lines, which is called the dipole moment. Since the field is variable, the molecules periodically change direction. As they move, the molecules “sway”, collide, hit each other, transferring energy to neighboring molecules in this material. Since temperature is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of motion of atoms or molecules in a material, this means that such mixing of molecules increases the temperature of the material. Thus, dipole shift is a mechanism for converting the energy of electromagnetic radiation into thermal energy material. According to Wikipedia, microwave radiation leads to the destruction and deformation of food molecules.
Microwaves create new compounds that do not exist in nature, called radiolytics. Radiolytic compounds create molecular rot - as a direct consequence of radiation. One can only guess how molecular rot from the microwave will affect health.
Making a microwave oven?
American engineer Percy Spencer worked for Raytheon producing radar equipment. He drew attention to the ability of microwave radiation to heat surrounding objects, including food. He received a patent for the microwave oven in 1946. And already in 1947, the first microwave oven “Radarange” from Raytheon was released. It was adapted for defrosting food in military canteens and hospitals. The mass of this microwave oven was 340 kg and was about 2 meters in height. Mass production of these units began 2 years later, and the retail price was about $3,000.
In the USSR, in the late 80s, microwave ovens were produced at the ZiL YuzhMASH factories, but they used Japanese-made magnetrons. Medical research into the biological effects of microwave ovens has been conducted around the world, and an international warning has been issued regarding harmful substances, biological and environmental, from exposure to microwaves. In the USSR, microwave ovens were banned in 1976 due to their harmful effects on health as a result of many studies. 0
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a kitchen that doesn’t have a microwave. And of course, there are many people who speak out in favor of this device, but there are also those who are against it. Therefore, let's figure out whether microwave ovens are harmful - is it a myth or reality, and is there any scientific evidence for them? negative influence on the human body? Should we use such an assistant in the kitchen, or should we not?
Throughout its existence, humanity has been wary of all new home appliances that appeared thanks to useful inventions scientists. This was the case when the first refrigerators, telephones, washing machines. First of all, this was negatively perceived by the clergy, who attributed these innovations to infernal machines.
But over time, they all became necessary helpers in everyday life. The same myth has become harmful to microwaves, and to debunk it, you need to look at its operating principle.
Harm or benefit?
If you look at the item from the point of view of the housewife in the kitchen, then a microwave is a necessary household appliance, since with its help food is heated in a matter of minutes, and at the same time it warms up evenly. Thanks to this, a person’s time spent on cooking is reduced.
But at the same time, scientists are engaged in heated debate about whether microwave ovens are harmful to health. The reason for their dispute is the effect that microwaves have on the human body while this device is operating. In order to understand the dangers of the device, you need to consider how exactly it works.
Many people have already long time use this household item and are completely satisfied with its performance. It not only reheats food perfectly, but also significantly reduces the time it takes to prepare breakfast or dinner. Even if you just heat up food on the stove, it takes twice as long, because in this case, first of all, the dishes in which the food is heated are heated, and then the food itself.
In addition, it is also necessary to use oil, without which the food will burn. While in the microwave, food is heated evenly and does not require the addition of fat. So, after all, what is more from a microwave - benefit or harm?
Myths
Many people, hearing the word “wave,” begin to picture radiation and cancer in their imagination. There are even several myths about this. Let's try to figure it out: is the harm of microwaves a myth or reality?
- The first myth is that microwave waves are radioactive. But this is a big misconception of people. This unit emits non-ionizing waves that do not in any way affect food or the human body.
- The second myth is that a microwave, under the influence of waves, changes the structure of the prepared food. That food becomes carcinogenic after heating. But even here there is no scientific confirmation, since such changes can only occur after exposure to radioactive waves on the product. In addition, a carcinogen can be obtained by overcooking food in an ordinary frying pan, but not by exposure to microwaves. The benefit of the microwave is that you don’t need to use fat to heat food. In addition, food can be cooked for a very short time and does not lose its properties, unlike when it is heated for a long time.
- Myth three: microwave radiation is very dangerous for humans. Although in fact these waves cause exactly the same harm to the body as Wi-Fi or TV. The only difference is that during cooking the waves are more active. But you need to remember that these waves are only inside the furnace. It should also be noted that such waves do not tend to accumulate in objects; they both arise and decay.
From a scientific point of view
So is a microwave oven harmful to human health? And what does science say about this? Many people claim that when food is heated in this oven, the food loses all its beneficial substances. But they forget that all these processes also take place during other types of heat treatment of products. For change useful properties product affects:
- Processing products at high temperatures.
- The time at which food is processed.
- When cooking foods there are a lot of vitamins and other useful substances takes up the water.
And scientific experiments have proven that when cooking food in a microwave, much less nutrients are lost than with other types of cooking.
- Firstly, this happens because it does not require the use of water.
- Secondly, food is cooked several times faster, which allows many substances not to lose their properties.
- Thirdly, food is cooked at a temperature no higher than one hundred degrees, which is much lower than when cooking on a conventional stove.
In this case, the products practically do not lose their properties, but you need to remember that in the microwave the substances that are necessary in the treatment of cancer tumors disappear. For example, garlic loses useful qualities, so it is not recommended to add it to dishes when cooking. It's better to do this after.
Furnace structure
In order to debunk the myth that a person gets harmed from a microwave oven and also receives microwave radiation, let’s look at how the oven itself works.
First of all, let's look at the furnace body itself. It is equipped with a magnetron, which emits electromagnetic waves. The waves themselves are regulated by a certain frequency. At the same time, everything is arranged so as not to interrupt the operation of other devices.
It should be taken into account that the modern world is completely saturated with electromagnetic waves and radiation, but nevertheless, not a single victim has yet been discovered from them. Having examined all these factors, the question arises: is a microwave oven harmful or not?
Hence the conclusion is that not all radiation is dangerous, and besides, food cooked in a microwave oven is not at all dangerous to the human body.
The waves used for cooking do not penetrate beyond the oven and therefore cannot cause any harm to humans. It is not hidden that the old models of microwave ovens were imperfect in their design, and this was specified in the instructions for use. But more modern products have much more advanced protection, and allow you to be in sufficient proximity to the stove.
To compare which food is more healthy, prepared in the traditional way or in the microwave, let’s look at how the cooking process occurs.
When cooking on a traditional stove, the dishes are heated first, and only then does the food begin to be cooked. And when foods reach high temperatures, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances begin to be destroyed. And this process is quite normal, because some foods cannot be eaten raw.
When cooking food in a microwave, the following processes occur. Under the influence of microwaves, food begins to warm up from the middle. Thanks to the chemical process that takes place in food products that are affected by waves, the food is heated immediately throughout its entire volume. The temperature at which food is heated barely reaches one hundred degrees.
This is the reason why everyone’s favorite crispy crust does not appear on products. And, in addition, because the product is heated throughout its entire volume at once, the time for its preparation is significantly reduced, which allows you to preserve a significant amount of vitamins and nutrients.
But, as with everything else, using microwave ovens also has its downsides. When cooking food in such a short time, the products do not lose their properties, but some bacteria do not die. Salmonella is one of those bacteria that survives in such conditions.
Are microwaves harmful to health? Definitely not. But with regular cooking, you can make it much better than in the microwave. And if you cook food on something other than a regular stove, there is every chance of contracting salmonellosis. In this case, the benefits and harms of a microwave are determined only by the skill of the cook, on which the quality of the prepared food depends.
What could be the consequences?
However, with constant exposure to microwaves on the human body, microwaves are still harmful to health. As a result of these radiations, the following symptoms occur:
- A person experiences insomnia and excessive sweating during sleep.
- The person begins to have a headache and feel very dizzy.
- The lymph nodes increase in volume, and the immune system is greatly weakened.
- Cognitive functions are impaired.
- The person suffers from depression and is constantly in an irritable state.
- Nausea occurs and appetite is lost.
- Vision problems arise.
- A person is tormented by constant thirst, and, of course, frequent urination.
Such symptoms occur in most cases in those people who are constantly exposed to microwaves. They receive such radiation from nearby antennas cellular communication or other similar generator.
Let's look at what else is dangerous about a microwave oven, as well as the radiation from a microwave oven. If there are any malfunctions in it, then there is a danger to the health of people who are close to the device. But, despite the manufacturers’ assurances that the housing is sealed, which ensures protection from microwaves, the danger of a microwave oven is as follows:
- In a person who is exposed to microwave rays for a long time, the composition of the blood is deformed.
- Disturbances occur in the cerebral cortex.
- Violations occur nervous system.
- There is a high risk of cancer.
Video: How harmful are microwave ovens?
The microwave is also harmful because it can cause problems in the digestive system and weaken the immune system. And in order to reduce the harm of microwave ovens, you need to follow following rules:
- Install the microwave oven in the correct horizontal position. The surface on which the microwave is installed should be one meter from the floor.
- Under no circumstances should the ventilation be closed.
- You should never cook eggs in their shells in the microwave. They can explode and cause harm not only to humans, but also to the device itself.
- The same explosion occurs from the use of metal utensils.
- Dishes for use in the microwave should be made of thick glass or special plastic.
In order to correctly determine the harm and benefits of a microwave oven, you need to listen to the recommendations of specialists. Namely:
- Follow the rules for using the device specified in the instructions.
- Never turn on an empty oven.
- The food that needs to be heated must be at least 200 grams.
- Do not place objects inside the oven that could cause an explosion.
- Do not use metal utensils.
- Don't heat all your food in the microwave. Some foods need to be reheated or cooked on a traditional stovetop.
- You cannot use a microwave that is faulty.
The benefit of using a microwave is that you don’t need to use any fat or water to heat it up. Food cooks much faster than on a traditional stove or oven. And another plus is that this device also allows you to quickly defrost food.
As a result of all of the above, it is up to the user to decide whether a microwave oven is harmful or beneficial.
On this moment It is very difficult to say who exactly invented the microwave oven. In different sources you can see completely different information. The official creator is usually named P.B. Spencer, an engineer from the United States of America who was involved in research on the emitter of microwave waves - the magnetron. As a result of his experiments, he made very specific conclusions. A certain frequency of radiation causes intense heat generation. On December 6, 1945, scientists received a patent for the use of microwaves for cooking. In 1949, in the USA, using this patent, the production of microwave ovens, which were intended for quickly defrosting strategic food reserves, had already begun. The whole world celebrates the birthday of microwave ovens on December 6th.
Controversy surrounding the invention
Since this device was created, debates about its benefits and harms have not subsided. Until now, many people do not understand the principle of operation of a microwave oven, which is why it is believed that products that have undergone such processing can be dangerous to human health. When on Russian market As soon as this device appeared, many began to hear that food cooked or heated in this way causes cancer. They have often talked about the effect of microwaves on intrauterine development children, the ability to cause various pathologies. Dishes from such an oven are full of carcinogens.
Recent studies of the household appliances market have demonstrated that every fifth family in Russia has a microwave oven, and in the United States of America only 10% of the population has not yet acquired this unit. When purchasing from sales consultants, you can often hear that this particular model is completely safe for health and shielded from radiation. And then the thought creeps in that there are some harmful factors.
This device uses radio waves similar to a conventional receiver, only they differ in frequency and are characterized by greater power. Every day we experience the effects of radio waves of different frequencies - we are influenced by our mobile phones, computers, televisions and other types of equipment. We should take a closer look at what a microwave oven is. Is there harm or benefit from its use, what is its impact? The cooking process works like this: microwave microwaves “bomb” the water molecules in the food, causing them to rotate at an incredible frequency, which creates molecular friction that heats the food. It is this process that causes severe damage to food molecules, as it leads to their rupture and deformation. It turns out that a microwave oven leads to decay and changes in the structure of products under the influence of radiation.
After the war, medical research was discovered that the Germans were doing with microwaves. All these documents, along with several working models, were transferred to the United States of America for further research. The Russians obtained a number of models with which they conducted many experiments. During the study, it was revealed that exposure to microwaves produces environmental and biological substances that are harmful to health. A regulation was created to strictly limit the use of microwave waves.
The harm and benefits of a microwave oven according to scientists
American researchers say that this device has reduced the incidence of stomach cancer in America. This is due to the fact that there is no need to add oil when cooking in a microwave oven. And according to the method of preparation this option very similar to steam, which is considered the safest. A short cooking time allows you to preserve twice as many nutrients in food: minerals and vitamins. At the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, it was calculated that the process of preparing dishes on the stove leads to the loss of 60% of useful elements, in particular vitamin C. And microwaves destroy only 2-25%. However, scientists from Spain claim that broccoli, which is prepared in this way, loses up to 98% of the minerals and vitamins contained in it, and the microwave oven is to blame for this.
Harm similar way cooking is more and more confirmed every day. A lot of information has emerged that food prepared in this way causes irreparable harm to human health. Microwaves cause food to break down at the molecular level, causing irreversible changes that cause cancer-causing substances in regular food.
In 1992, a comparative study was published in the United States, which stated that introducing molecules exposed to microwaves into the human body leads to more harm than benefit. In food that has undergone this processing, the molecules contain microwave energy that is not present in foods prepared using traditional methods.
The microwave oven, the dangers of which have been studied for many years, changes the structure of products. A short-term study showed that people who consumed vegetables and milk prepared in this way had changes in their blood composition, increased cholesterol and decreased hemoglobin. At the same time, eating the same products, but prepared traditionally, did not lead to any changes in the body.
Unanswered question
Manufacturers of microwave ovens unanimously claim that food from a microwave oven does not differ in composition from that processed in a traditional way. However, no public university in the United States has conducted research into how food altered in this way affects the human body. But there is a huge amount of research on what happens if the door of the device is not closed. Common sense dictates that issues related to the food itself are quite important. Therefore, at the moment it is a complete mystery what a microwave oven does to food, whether it brings harm or benefit to them.
Other Important Points
Quite often you can hear that these devices are harmful to children. The composition of mother's milk and infant formula includes amino acids that, when exposed to this radiation, are converted into d-isomers, and they are considered neurotoxic, that is, they lead to deformation of the nervous system, and also nephrotoxic, that is, they are poison for the kidneys. Now that many children are fed with artificial formulas, the dangers are increasing, because they are heated in microwaves.
The World Health Organization has issued a verdict that the radiation used in microwaves does not harm food or humans at all. But the intensity of the microwave flux can affect implanted cardiac stimulators. This is why people with pacemakers are advised to give up microwaves and cell phones.
Other Features
However, many people are still targeting the microwave oven. Whether it is harmful or not is not clear. Therefore, a final verdict has not yet been made on this issue. Many scientists are working to study its effect on the human body. In the meantime, the dangers and benefits of a microwave oven remain a big question; you should use it only for heating and defrosting food, but not for cooking. You should not be near a switched-on stove yourself, especially if you do not allow children near it. A faulty device should not be used. The doors should close as securely as possible and there should be no damage to them. And if you have a microwave oven, the instruction manual will help you use it correctly. You should always have this appliance repaired by qualified personnel rather than doing it yourself.
Unusual use of microwaves
A microwave oven, whose characteristics depend on many factors, can be used for various purposes that are not considered traditional for it. You can use it for drying vegetables, herbs, nuts for the winter, as well as crackers. If you put spices and seasonings in the microwave for 30 seconds, you can refresh their aroma. Bread can be refreshed by wrapping it in a napkin and placing it in the device for 1 minute at the most intense radiation.
You can peel almonds by putting them in boiling water and then heating them in the oven for half a minute. full power. A microwave oven, the harm of which has been intensively studied, is also useful for peeling walnuts. They need to be heated in water at full power for 4-5 minutes. You can easily get rid of the white pulp on lemons or oranges. To do this, citrus fruits should be heated at full power for 30 seconds. After this, the white pulp can be separated from the slices quite simply.
Lemon or orange zest can be dried quite quickly by heating it for two minutes at full power. The same time will be enough to melt the candied honey.
Can be spared cutting boards from unpleasant odor. To do this, you need to wash them, rub them with lemon juice, and then fry them in the microwave for a couple of minutes. In this case, even the most pungent ingrained odor will disappear.
To squeeze out the juice from citrus fruits to the last drop, just warm them up in the microwave for a few minutes and then let them cool.
What is the harm of a microwave?
If you are interested in a microwave oven, the harm of which is confirmed by many studies, then it is worth noting that the operating frequency of this device coincides with the frequency mobile phone. At the moment, there are four main factors that speak in favor of the harm of this unit.
First of all, it should be noted that electromagnetic radiation, or more precisely, its information component, is harmful. In science it is usually called a torsion field. Experiments have demonstrated that electromagnetic radiation has a torsion component. It is precisely such fields, according to most scientists, that pose danger and harm to human health. The torsion field transmits to a person all the negative information, which can cause irritation, headaches and insomnia, as well as other ailments.
It is also important to remember the temperature, but this applies over a long period of time when using the microwave oven constantly.
If we are targeting a microwave oven, the harm or benefits of which we are so interested in, then from the point of view of biology, it is high-frequency radiation in the centimeter range that is most harmful to humans. Since it is from it that the electromagnetic radiation of the highest intensity is obtained.
Microwaves lead to direct heating of the body, and only blood flow can reduce the degree of exposure. But there are organs, for example the lens, in which there is not a single vessel. Therefore, exposure to microwave waves causes clouding of the lens and its destruction. Such changes are irreversible.
Since we do not see or hear electromagnetic radiation, and we do not clearly feel it, we cannot determine whether it was the cause of this or that human disease. The influence of such radiation does not appear immediately, but only when it accumulates, which makes it difficult to blame any device with which a person has been in contact for this.
So, if you are considering a microwave oven, the characteristics of which are completely unimportant in this matter, then you should study its effect on food. Electromagnetic radiation can cause the ionization of molecules of a substance, that is, as a result of this, an atom can gain or lose an electron, which leads to a change in the structure of the substance itself.
Radiation causes the destruction of food molecules and their deformation. The microwave oven (whether its use is harmful to health or not is still being actively studied) creates new compounds that do not exist in nature. They are called radiolytic. And they, in turn, create molecular rot, which is a direct consequence of radiation.
Here are just a few facts to think about if you are interested in using a microwave oven:
Meat that is prepared in this way contains Nitrosodienthanolamines, which is a carcinogen;
In milk and cereals, many acids turn into carcinogens;
When fruits are defrosted in this way, their galactizoids and glucosides turn into carcinogenic substances;
Vegetable alkaloids become carcinogenic even with minor irradiation;
When processing plants, especially root vegetables, in a microwave oven, carcinogenic free radicals are formed;
The value of food is sometimes reduced by 90%;
Many vitamins lose their biological activity.
A microwave oven, reviews of which can be interesting and educational, is capable of weakening the cells of our body with its microwave radiation. There is a method of genetic engineering in which a cell is lightly irradiated with electromagnetic waves to penetrate it, and this leads to a weakening of the membranes. Since the cells, one might say, are broken, the membranes no longer serve as an obstacle to viruses, fungi and other microorganisms, and the natural self-healing mechanism is also suppressed.
The health hazards of microwave ovens are the same as exposure to radiation. In this case, radioactive decay of molecules occurs, after which new alloys unknown to nature are formed.
The influence of microwave radiation on human health
Eating food that is cooked in a microwave oven leads to a gradual decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. After this comes a period of nervousness and high blood pressure, headaches, eye pain, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, stomach pain, hair loss, inability to concentrate, and reproductive problems. Sometimes cancerous tumors even appear. With heart disease and stress, all these symptoms worsen.
What does the market offer?
The microwave oven, reviews of which you might like, is designed to provide maximum comfort, convenience and complete safety during use. The Russian market offers devices of different brands and sizes. Thanks to the abundance design solutions You can choose the model that best suits your taste preferences. There are both simple solutions and multifunctional large-sized specimens.
Any microwave oven whose characteristics suit you works on the same principle. The product is heated evenly due to irradiation from all sides. Simple models are characterized by the fact that the product is in one place, and a microwave source rotates around it, while more advanced options assume that directed microwave radiation is used, and the product is located on a special rotating tray.
Microwave oven, the circuit of which may include a grill and forced circulation air, is a more complex device. In this case, the fan is usually located behind the chamber wall. Grills are equipped with tubular heating elements. For steam cooking, the device can be equipped with special utensils. All models have a backlight that allows you to monitor the cooking process.
Subtleties of choice and characteristics
Despite the fact that a microwave oven, reviews of which you may like, can completely replace a traditional kitchen stove, it is usually purchased as an addition to existing equipment. Before choosing, you should determine your needs and capabilities. You need to decide what tasks you need to perform and how often: prepare first courses, bake meat and poultry, defrost food, reheat it, and so on. Do you need a traditional, inexpensive device or a modern and elegant one? And all this is important when considering microwave ovens. How to choose one model or another is entirely up to you.
Many buyers prefer to use this device for defrosting food and heating food. These goals are easily achieved in simple microwave ovens, which use exclusively microwave radiation. Such equipment is usually purchased as an addition to a stove and oven. This way you can satisfy dietary and fast food requirements.
The size and design of the microwave oven affect the number of products and dishes that will be prepared at one time. The greatest demand is for devices that are characterized by medium and small dimensions, as well as the presence of a grill. With this option, food is not only heated, but also brought to perfect condition. Such solutions meet the needs of small families with limited budgets.
An important parameter is the volume of the chamber. Typically, the more functions a device has, the larger it is. Microwave wattage is another thing to keep in mind. This is what affects the cooking speed. The controls should be clear, but at the same time quite functional.
It is advisable that the kit includes a set of necessary accessories. Then working with the device will be much easier. The choice of one brand or another is a personal matter for everyone, and it all depends on preferences.
If we talk about reviews about microwave ovens, then here, as elsewhere, you can find different opinions. But most people agree on the usefulness of such a kitchen device as an assistant if you need to warm up, defrost, or quickly cook something. Models with a grill are more popular, as the food in them turns out to be more appetizing in appearance.
In general, a microwave oven, the photo of which you can take yourself, should be the way you want it. In the sense that the choice of a particular model depends entirely on your preferences.
