Do Microwaves Cause Food to Spoil?

Microwaves are a quick and safe to heat food.

QUESTION: I wonder if cooking in the microwave is harmful. Do they lose vitamins and protein? Is it dangerous to be open at home or at work? "Warm the food in the microwave can have negative health consequences if done every day? AGNES Esmet.

Microwave ovens heat food using radio waves, microwaves. These are electromagnetic waves. In nature there are many types (visible light, X rays, infrared rays, ultraviolet ...), each with specific characteristics.

Spin heat because water molecules in the food. Only to them. And in turn, heats water molecules to other molecules that are close by friction.

"Microwaves do not break chemical bonds, no changes in the structure of molecules," says a RTVE.es Alberto Lords, an expert in science and food technology. Thus, the microwaves do not harm the food more or less than any other cooking method. "Chemical reactions that arise when heating with microwaves is that they would with a conventional heating, such as a pot or a pan, "he said.

Heats up faster

Microwaves are ideal for heating food evenly and quickly because the food penetrate to a depth of 2, 5 cm. So the heat goes to the heart of the food faster than baking or cooking for example, where the heat hits the outer layer of the food.

Well used "more effectively preserves the vitamins and other food components because it is less aggressive," said Lords. In contrast, he says, and as with other traditional cooking methods, if given food excessive treatments can cause vitamin loss and changes in taste, aroma or texture.

For example, the expert says Harold McGee, an expert on food science, "in the case of rapid heating of the meat may cause more fluid loss, resulting in dry texture."

Cooking without losing nutrients, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition has published a 'Guide to Healthy Eating "that offers tips and guidelines for cooking food in a way that kept the most of their nutritional properties. Among the different ways of cooking that includes the guide include the microwave.

A secure system

As for security, microwaves have a system that blocks the emission of the waves if you open the door while the appliance is operating.

Microwave levels we are exposed are practically nil

"The levels of microwaves to which we are exposed to the use of this appliance is virtually nil because the security of these devices are appropriate," said Lords.

However, nuances, make sure that the device status is optimal to not be a problem. "The health problems that have been associated with the use of microwaves have sio associated with skin burns due to excessive heat or food containers. Nothing to do with the microwave radiation, and look what we have spent years using it, "he concludes.