Beauty

Answer: This issue has been discussed for many decades, and now microwave ovens are actually banned in Russia. I’m going to state now categorically here: get rid of them.

A microwave oven uses non-ionizing radiation, which makes food molecules vibrate, especially water molecules, and thus heats them up. Regular cooking does the same. A potential advantage of the microwave oven is that the food is cooked in its own water, which minimizes nutrient leaching, and it is true that in general the microwave oven is better than most cooking methods at preserving water-soluble vitamins B and C. Temperatures , however, are very high, and therefore microwaved fish is not very good, as it damages the essential fats found in fish, as well as vitamin E.

There are also other reasons to be careful. In one study, eight participants received the same foods for eight weeks. Those who cooked their food in the microwave had the worst blood test results at the end of the trial. Another study published in October 2003 in the Journal of Food and Agriculture by a group of Spanish researchers may show why. After the broccoli was cooked in a variety of ways and the antioxidant content was determined, it turned out that cooking in the microwave gave the worst results. Microwave-cooked broccoli lost 74 to 97% of the three major antioxidants, while steamed broccoli lost less than 11% of those same antioxidants. As science learns more about food and health, I imagine the only place for microwave ovens would be a museum or junkyard.

Question: Is it really bad to use plastic dishes when heating food in a microwave oven?

Answer: We are surrounded by plastic and it is almost impossible to buy food products that are not packaged in this material.

But their impact on our health remains largely unknown. Some chemicals are added to plastics during the manufacturing process to make them more resilient, more flexible, or less brittle, such as nonyl-phenol and bisphenol-A. These chemicals are similar in structure to the hormone estrogen, leach from plastics into foods and liquids, and cause hormonal disturbances in animals and humans due to their estrogen-like action. This phenomenon appears to have contributed to observed reproductive problems in humans and wildlife.

The plastics industry is phasing out the use of chemicals known to be hormonal disruptors, but I would still recommend using glass or ceramic containers rather than plastic when heating food in the microwave. I would also recommend not using the microwave oven at all. Oils (fats) and plastics are generally a bad combination anyway, due to their chemical similarity and ability to exchange components. Heating increases the rate of any chemical reaction and can allow hormone-disrupting chemicals to enter your foods. These concerns do not apply to all plastics — manufacturers are constantly developing safer, more inert types. Regardless, it’s best to be extra careful and minimize your contact with plastics as much as possible.

Question: Is there a link between mobile phones and brain cancer?

Answer: Without a doubt. Mobile phones, even in hands-free mode, home or office phones, microwave ovens, power poles, mobile phone antennas, and other radio devices, such as those built using Bluetooth technology, emit electromagnetic energy called an electromagnetic field or high frequency radiation. We are literally permeated with electromagnetic radiation, although animal studies have shown that it contributes to the development of cancer, as well as changes in brain cells leading to Alzheimer’s disease. And the significant increase in brain cancer — by 45% in the last 30 years — is very likely to prove that electromagnetic radiation, including radiation from mobile phones, is contributing to this problem.

The critical question is what dose or intensity of radiation is dangerous? Electromagnetic radiation is measured in units called microtesla (µT). In some countries, the dose of radiation is strictly limited, telephone companies are ordered to use low-frequency phones. For example, phones in Switzerland emit only 4 µT, compared to British phones, which sometimes emit up to 5000 µT! Many countries have buffer zones around mobile towers. The increase in cases of leukemia in people living near electrical pylons leaves little doubt that being near devices that emit electromagnetic energy is hazardous to health.

Although the risk is present, a large amount of research is required to quantify the measure of hazard. My advice: don’t use mobile phones, and if you do, use them for the minimum amount of time and don’t keep them on your body. Keep them in your briefcase to reduce your exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Also, don’t use cordless phones at home, especially near your bed, because the base station is constantly transmitting.

Question answer. Ecological health. Part 1

Question answer. Ecological health. Part 3

Source: Adapted from 500 Health and Nutrition Questions and Answers

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