| The compactness and speed of microwave ovens | | | | demonstrated the nutritional changes microwaving has |
| has meant that they have been a hugely successful, | | | | upon food. Furthermore, the study showed that |
| and practical invention in recent times. Initially people | | | | participating volunteers that consumed microwaved |
| were suspicious of the idea of their food being | | | | foods experienced negative changes in their blood. |
| radiated. But official sources were quick to reassure | | | | These changes included a decrease in the levels of |
| the public that there was no risk to human health. | | | | HDL (good cholesterol) against the levels of LDL (bad |
| However, recent studies indicate otherwise. So what | | | | cholesterol). |
| are the health risks involved? | | | | In a similar study, volunteers consuming microwaved |
| Microwaves "heat" food from the inside out, the | | | | foods quickly found that hemoglobin levels in the blood |
| waves create agitation on a molecular level. This | | | | decreased, as did lymphocytes, including natural killer |
| agitation, or molecular friction, damages molecules, | | | | cells (part of the immune system, responsible for |
| altering their very composition. This deformation is | | | | defending us from tumors). |
| scientifically known as "structural isomerism". In | | | | Dr Lee, author of Health Effects of Microwave |
| essence, the microwave process alters the very | | | | Radiation, condemns microwaves further, citing that |
| molecular structure of the food. | | | | cooking meat to a level suitable for human |
| The effect of this "structural isomerism" is that the | | | | consumption within a microwave caused formation of |
| composition of foods is altered, or deformed. And it is | | | | carcinogens. But it is not just with meat that these risks |
| because of this that vital nutrients and vitamins may be | | | | occur. Carcinogens occur, or are formed after |
| lost in our foods. It would seem that broccoli is no | | | | microwaving milk products, grains, vegetables |
| longer broccoli once it has been "nuked". Indeed, the | | | | (especially root vegetables). |
| molecular changes convert elements in our foods into | | | | According to Dr Lee,the occurrence of digestive |
| byproducts that the human body cannot metabolise, or | | | | disorders, stomach and intestinal cancers is significantly |
| break down. | | | | higher in those that consume microwaved foods. |
| So this destruction, or deformation of molecules | | | | But it is not just the food itself that is potentially harmful, |
| changes the food substances. But the nutritional loss is | | | | the packaging that is used for microwave foods itself |
| only part of the story. More concerning is the | | | | can "leak" nasty chemicals too, including PET (a |
| potentially cancerous effects on the blood. Eating | | | | petroleum-derived product), and other known and |
| significant levels of microwaved foods has been | | | | suspected carcinogens, including benzene, toluene and |
| proved to raise the levels of cancerous cells in the | | | | xylene. So with all this in mind, does this time saving |
| blood. | | | | device really deserve a place in our lives, let alone our |
| Dr Hans Ulrich Hertel initiated a shocking study that | | | | kitchens? |