Is Your Microwave Making You Sick?

In the age of “modern convenience” often times we overlook some of the tools we are using to navigate our busy lifestyles. Every so often, I find myself in discussions with reasonably well-versed food advocates on clean eating and they’ll mention, “popping something into the microwave.” I GASP! Not in judgment, but in concern that this information must really be hidden from consumers, even those of us that “should be” in the know. But when you do a Google search there’s plenty of “experts” that say, “Microwaves are safe.” It sounds similar to the talking points we’ve heard from the big tobacco and food industries. So, the question I’d like to ask those informed individuals is, “why advocate for safe, clean, organic, fresh, nutrient dense foods and then zap it in your microwave?”

To clear the air on this heated debate, pun intended, I’ve pulled together the facts relating to microwave safety, what ailments you may be experiencing and how to replace a microwave with a safe alternative in your home. Whether it’s a quick meal for the kids or reheating your coffee, microwaving anything for consumption is a bad idea based upon multiple studies.

A look at studies showing why you should NOT use a microwave:

Radiation

Microwaving is, technically, a form of food irradiation. A Japanese study by Watanabe showed that just 6 minutes of microwave heating turned 30 to 40 percent of the B12 in milk into an inert (dead) form.

"There may be dangers associated with microwaving food… there is a question as to whether microwaving alters protein chemistry in ways that might be harmful." – Dr. Andrew Weil

Carcinogens and Cancer

Microwaving has been found to creates cancer-causing agents within milk and cereals.
Microwaving alters food chemistry that can lead to malfunctions in the lymphatic system and degeneration of the body’s ability to protect itself against cancerous growths.
Microwaved foods lead to a higher percentage of cancerous cells in the bloodstream.
Cancer-causing free radicals were formed within certain trace-mineral molecular formations in plant substances, especially in raw root vegetables.

“In a study of garlic, as little as 60 seconds of microwave heating was enough to inactivate its allinase, garlic's principle active ingredient against cancer.”

BPA Dangers

Don't microwave food or drinks in plastic containers, even if they claim to be “microwave safe.”

Heating plastic packages and containers in a microwave can release chemicals into your food or drinks. Microwave ovens heat unevenly, creating hot spots where the plastic is more likely to break down. BPA is one of the most dangerous contaminants in microwavable “safe” plastics.

Infertility, low-libido, breast cancer, cardiac disease, mental disorders, allergies, high blood pressure, and weight gain have all been linked to BPA exposure. Many studies prove that breast milk and formula when microwaved in plastic bottles shows cause for concern as it can leach chemicals like BPA into your child’s food and also heat unevenly, potentially burning your infant.

Cataracts and Impaired Vision

The microwave field next to a microwave oven caused a slew of health problems as well. Some studies show standing near microwaves has been found to cause cataracts, vertigo and blurred vision.

Obesity and Malnourishment

Some argue that microwaves have also led to obesity by way of mass adoption of convenient consumption. Not only did the microwave make it convenient to eat more obesity-promoting foods, it also destroyed much of the nutritional content of those foods, leaving consumers in an ongoing state of malnourished overeating.

Digestive Issues

Heating with a microwave alters elemental food-substances, causing digestive disorders. Microwaved foods have been found to cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths, a general degeneration of peripheral cellular tissues, and a gradual breakdown of the digestive and excretive systems in a high percentage of people.

Reduction of Nutrients

Microwaving alters the nutritional structure and forms free radicals in raw, cooked, or frozen vegetables even when exposed for a very short amount of time. Those that consume microwaved foods were found with a diminished ability to absorb B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics.

“A study published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that broccoli "zapped" in the microwave with a little water lost up to 97 percent of its beneficial antioxidants. By comparison, steamed broccoli lost 11 percent or fewer of its antioxidants. There were also reductions in phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, but mineral levels remained intact.”

Others argue that lack of nutrients in our food have led to epidemic rates of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression, kidney failure, liver disorders and much more.

But even after knowing all these facts some may still decide to continue use of their microwaves. In these cases, please be aware that it is recommended to stand a full foot away from your microwave while it's running as it can expose you to upwards of 400 milliGauss, and a mere 4 milliGauss has been firmly linked to leukemia. Also it is wise to keep children out of the kitchen area while microwaving and to stop use entirely if you're pregnant. Even the FDA warns: “don’t stand in front of a microwave for long periods of time.”

Let’s pause for a moment here with our thinking caps on and ask these two questions:

If you can’t stand near the microwave how can it then be safe to ingest the food you’ve just nuked?”
Are microwaves making us all sick?

Microwaves have recently been in the news because they are being linked to common ailments as well as the broader diseases discussed.

Some of these ailments include:

Sleep disturbances (insomnia, night sweats, restlessness)
Headaches
Dizziness
Swollen lymph nodes
A weakened immune system
Impaired cognition
Depression
Irritability
Nausea and appetite loss
Vision problems
Frequent urination
Extreme thirst

Here’s the good news! Many people all over the world are not using microwaves in their kitchens. The Russians banned microwaves in the 1970’s due to their findings many of which were noted above and proved again here by independent studies in the U.S. Thankfully we have so many natural ways to process and prepare our foods that you truly don’t need a microwave.

You Don’t Need A Microwave!

Plain and simple microwaves are used only for convenience to prep, defrost or heat up our food. Forty years ago we didn’t use microwaves and guess what, we got by just fine. Most of us that have access to a microwave also have access to a toaster oven, range or even a large baking oven. While you might not have instant mouth melting food, you also won’t have food that is void of nutrition.

Here’s how to never use your microwave again:

Food Prep

Prepare your meals in advance so that you always have a good meal available on those days when you're too busy or too tired to cook.

Alternatively, you can make a couple large meals a week and eat leftovers simply by using one of our reheating alternatives below.

Reheat

A toaster oven makes a GREAT replacement for heating up leftovers! Keep it at a low temperature (below 250F) and gently warm a plate of food over the course of 20-30 minutes. There are great oven safe dishes for this purpose and most can be found relatively inexpensive or even at second hand stores.

Another great alternative is a convection oven. These ovens can be built in just as easily as a microwave or take the place of your current microwave. They can be purchased relatively inexpensive and can be a quick safe way to reheat or heat foods.

Defrost

Plan ahead. Take your dinner out of the freezer that morning or the night before so you don't end up having to scramble ahead of mealtime. Make meals like soup in bulk, and then freeze in gallon-sized freezer bags or other containers. An hour before meal time, just take a bag out and defrost it in a sink of water until it's thawed enough to slip into a pot, then reheat it on the stove. Even better you can use mason jars so you can skip the plastic exposure altogether. You’ll need a bit more time when you use glass to defrost.

Popcorn

Don’t microwave your popcorn. Not only is microwaving your popcorn a problem but microwave popcorn bags contain toxic chemicals. Try air-popping your popcorn instead. Air popping machines are relatively inexpensive too. Making popcorn on the stove is easy; using a pan, some quality high-heat friendly oil like coconut oil from Dr. Mercola and a scoop of your favorite popcorn. Once you perfect your stovetop popcorn skills you’ll likely never want to eat microwave popcorn again.

Fast, Warm, Convenient, Foods and Drinks

Often times you’re saving literally only a few minutes when it comes to using a natural alternative for heating your food. Certain foods don’t taste good cold so another alternative is to prepare something in a slow cooker that you can eat once you come home from a long days work. Purchasing insulated materials that will help you keep your lunch warm as you step out for the day is a great way to avoid the lunchroom microwave.

Heating up your once warm beverages in the microwave is another area of concern. We recommend using an insulated coffee or tea canteen that will keep your beverage warm all day. Be sure to also avoid heating the containers you’re given at chains like Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts because they contain high levels of chemicals that will leach into your beverage.

Eat Raw Foods

Eat more organic raw foods instead of heating your meals. This is arguably the best way to avoid the “convenience” of heating up your food with a microwave. Many health experts suggest that at least 35% of our diet should be made up of raw fruits and vegetables. You can do this by adding a side of raw veggies or fruit to any warm meal.

Having something warmed up quickly is a nice luxury we’ve all come to love but at what cost? Once you’ve replaced your microwave with these easy tips you’ll be able to avoid the ailments, the long-term exposure diseases and the risk associated that are still being uncovered. The science is there to support instilling the cautionary principle when it comes to microwaves. Here at Naturally Savvy, we suggest using natural alternatives for heating, defrosting, reheating, and warming foods.

Do you have some tips to avoid using microwaves? Did we leave something out? Let us know in the comments!