Is microwaving food bad for you?

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Joseph Chance (2:01)

Is microwaving food bad for you?

Thanks for asking. It's been labeled a marvel of engineering and a miracle of convenience by Harvard Health Publishing. Data published by Statista in July 2022 showed that in 2018, 93% of UK households owned a microwave, a figure which had risen from 67% when the survey started back in 1994

But still, some doubts persist about whether microwaving food is bad for your health. Some people even say it causes cancer. Rest assured, it doesn't. But there are a range of other complaints and concerns over food quality and health. So, are they simply urban myths or based on frightening reality? Let's investigate. How do microwaves actually work? Inside a microwave oven, there's an electron tube called a magnetron, which produces microwaves. The electromagnetic waves cause the water molecules in food to vibrate, which creates the heat necessary to cook it. Microwaves are relatively small appliances, but bear in mind they carry a lot of powerful energy. They can emit up to 2,000 watts of electricity and heat food to over 90 degrees Celsius.

What about all the radiation? Okay, so microwaves do produce electromagnetic radiation, which might sound a little worrying to start with, but bear in mind they produce non-ionising radiation, just like our smartphones. Fear not, it's not the same kind of radiation as in nuclear bombs or power plants. Anyway, microwave ovens are designed with sturdy metal shields and screens. That means no radiation leaves the oven.

Doesn't microwaving food reduce nutrient value? Yes, it does, but that's true for all cooking methods. Heating foods at high temperatures inevitably remove some nutrients. Cooking something for too long will exacerbate that effect, and it's easy to overheat something in the microwave, given how short cooking times are. When comparing different cooking methods, you want one that is quick, heating food for the shortest amount of time possible, and uses the smallest amount of water. The microwave fits the bill on both accounts, and barring a few exceptions, it generally preserves nutrients very well. It's probably one of the best options available, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It may have a bad reputation because of food marketed for microwave heating generally being high in calories and salt. Think ready meals and microwave popcorn, for example. Are we saying microwaves don't have any drawbacks then? Well, that's not entirely true. They may be less effective at killing bacteria because of how they heat food. The heat is lower and the cooking time shorter than with a traditional oven, for example. Using a microwave with a rotating turntable will help spread heat more evenly, making sure all microorganisms are killed.

You should also be careful with the type of container you use when heating up food in a microwave. Plastic should generally be avoided, as it can break down when exposed to heat, releasing hormone-destructing compounds into our food. There you have it.

Now you know whether microwaving food is bad for you. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts, and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.