Compactness, practicality and ease of use - all this has contributed to the fact that the microwave oven has become a familiar kitchen item along with a refrigerator or oven. In addition, they are already so used to it that in case of its absence, for example, at the dacha, the question often arises of how to unfreeze food or prepare a dish without using oil. And not to mention just warming up the food. However, it is believed that this kitchen item does not benefit the body. Is microwave harm ? Is it myth or reality? This is what will be discussed in this review.
Benefit or harm?
At first glance, the benefits of using a microwave are quite large. This is a convenient device with great functionality. With it, you can greatly simplify the daily life of any person who does not have enough time to cook food. However, scientists are constantly arguing. And the topic of their discussion touches on the harm of the microwave oven to human health. The main reason for the occurrence of disputes is the operating principles of the equipment and the effect that radiated waves have on the body. You should try to figure out what underlies the operation of the microwave. It is also necessary to discuss the rules that should be followed when using equipment.
The benefits of the microwave have already been mentioned above. Those people who constantly use this unit say that it is convenient and greatly saves time. An example is the simple warming up of food. On the stove, this will require several times more time. In addition, without oil in this situation, it will not work. But it is precisely after heat treatment that it turns into a source of carcinogens, which causes great harm to the body of any person.
What happens to the product in the microwave?
In addition, spending less time on warming up food, at first glance, preserving all the nutrients with vitamins is not so difficult. However, is it possible to talk about the benefits of food whose molecular structure has completely changed, turning into an unknown compound? Could a microwave oven harm human health? It should be noted that at the time of conversion to an unnatural form, food loses all the useful elements. Accordingly, the body simply stops absorbing it. What is the reason for this? The principle of the microwave can help answer this question.
The principle of operation of the device
The operation of the device is based on the action of a sufficiently powerful magnetron. It provides the ability to convert ordinary electricity into a high power electric field. It will be characterized by an ultrahigh frequency equal to 2450 MHz. It is due to this that the product heats up quite quickly. During reflection from the inner coating of the body made of metal, the emitted waves evenly begin to affect the food. Their speed can be comparable with the speed of light. The frequency of the charge in such a situation is changed directly by the magnetron. This is a prerequisite for the contact of microparticles with water molecules that are in food.
Faced with these molecules, microwaves begin to rotate them with a sufficiently high frequency. About a million times per second. In this case, molecular friction is formed. At the same time, huge damage is caused to the molecules of the product. They are deformed and torn. In other words, microwave (microwave) waves transform the structure of food at the molecular level. And that is why many discuss the harm of the microwave oven to human health, which is already weakened due to the influence of negative external factors.
What are the reasons for the dangers of the device?
Radiation should also be considered dangerous because powerful waves can affect a person who is next to a working device. The danger increases if there is a malfunction in the device or if the case is damaged. Naturally, the developers say that microwaves are absolutely harmless. From microwave rays, they say, protects a sealed enclosure with a door, which is equipped with a special mesh.
After several studies, Russian scientists confirmed the harm of the microwave oven to human health. It can be applied due to a long stay near a working device. Among the probable problems are:
- Deformation of the blood and lymph.
- Disorders that occur in nerve impulses in the cerebral cortex.
- Disorders affecting the internal potential of cell membranes.
- Destruction of nerve endings, as well as disruption of the nervous system as a whole.
- The risk of malignant tumors.
What can changes at the molecular level in a product lead to?
What else can be said about the health hazards of a microwave oven? Almost all products that were exposed to microwave radiation had carcinogens. The nutritional value of food has been reduced by about 60%. What can the use of an irradiated product lead to?
- Digestive disorders may occur, as well as metabolic disturbances.
- The immune system may be weakened . This is due to changes in the lymph glands and in the blood serum.
- Free radicals are formed that provoke the development of cancer cells and disrupt the functions of the body.
How to reduce the degree of harmfulness?
Can the health of a microwave oven be reduced? Regardless of the large number of arguments from scientists and opponents of this device, many people still use this invention. They trust him not only the process of cooking, but also their health. To prove that it is harmful, useless. And if you decide to use the microwave oven further, then it is worth listening to some recommendations. Using them can reduce the harm of the microwave for children and adults.
Recommendations regarding the use of the device
- The device must be installed on a flat horizontal surface, which will be about 90 cm above the floor. The distance between the equipment and the wall should not be less than 15 cm. From the edge of the surface to the device should be more than 10 cm.
- Do not block the ventilation openings.
- If there are no products inside, then you can not press the power button. If the weight of the food is less than 200 g, then you should not put it in the oven.
- A microwave oven’s damage to human health can also be caused by the fact that some people have a desire to cook eggshells in the device. Accordingly, the product explodes. For this reason, the door may come off. In the event that the egg still did not explode in the device, then this can happen in the hands.
- An explosion can also occur if it was decided to heat up a simple metal can.
- The dishes for the microwave oven should be made of thick glass or heat-resistant plastic.
Conclusion
These are just simple measures that can reduce the harm of a microwave oven. Photos, videos, other recommendations and discussions about the operation of the device - all this at the present stage is quite popular among people. But not everyone is able to refuse a microwave. And this is largely due to the time savings that it gives.