Harm from microwave ovens to health: scientific evidence and destruction of myths

What are the benefits and harms of microwaves? How household appliances work. Scientific research on the dangers of microwave ovens. Safety precautions.

The benefits and harms of microwaves are the result of radiation of electromagnetic waves. However, this characteristic applies to all household appliances that operate on electrical voltage. The most powerful radiation was recorded during the operation of refrigerators and microwave ovens. Therefore, questions arise regarding the appropriateness of using this equipment.

Principle of operation

To understand the harm and benefit of a microwave oven, you need to carefully study the operating principle of this device. Heating of products in microwave ovens is carried out by creating microwaves that rock the molecules. The effect is aimed specifically at water molecules that are contained in various products.

The frequency of radio waves of microwave ovens is 2540 MHz. Why is microwave food harmful? There is a theory that radiation seeps into food, modifying it. Food with a large number of water molecules heats up faster, and therefore is more susceptible to negative effects. How valid is this theory? Let's figure it out now.

Negative Impact

In the mid-70s of the 20th century, Soviet radiated people were tasked with finding a rationale for why microwave ovens were harmful to health. A research group was created to conduct various tests to objectively evaluate this type of stove. By carefully studying the research results, you can determine whether the harm of microwaves is a myth or reality?

The Soviet emissaries were convincing in their conclusions; they gave arguments to support the theory of the negative impact of microwave ovens on the human body. As a result, the sale of these household appliances was strictly prohibited on the territory of the USSR. Microwaves never appeared on store shelves.

How harmful is a microwave? The use of equipment operating on the principle of the influence of electromagnetic waves on molecules to heat food is accompanied by spontaneous combustion of the equipment. Ignition can lead to a large fire. The operation of the device must be constantly monitored.

This is one of the most popular myths about the dangers of microwaves, which was later debunked. Modern models of household appliances are resistant to voltage surges and therefore are not subject to spontaneous combustion.

Products

Analyzing the opinions of experts about the dangers or benefits of microwave ovens, we can come to the conclusion that the operation of the equipment affects the product being heated. How harmful is microwaved food? All dishes that enter the thermal chamber of the uk444 microwave oven are subject to high-frequency radiation.

Research results confirm that heated food increases the content of carcinogens and significantly reduces nutritional value. Therefore, even the healthiest fruit or vegetable turns into an ordinary semi-finished product. Regular consumption of food from the stove leads to the following consequences:

stomach upset;
metabolic disease;
weakened immunity;
increased risk of cancer.

Microwave radiation is the cause of the collapse of the original structure of useful products. As a result of heating, chemical reactions occur in food that negatively affect human life. If you think about the benefits of using microwaves, then first of all you need to note practicality.

For the human body

Regularly heating food in the microwave can provoke: migraines, abnormally low or high blood pressure, excessive nervousness, and mood swings. Microwave ovens irradiate food, so it is advisable not to consume it. The researchers concluded that regular use of a microwave oven for 10 years will lead to negative consequences.

The main manifestations of the harm of a microwave oven to human health:

Electromagnetic waves have a detrimental effect on the lenses of the eyes, causing vision problems and increasing the risk of cataracts.
Mental disorders: nervousness, depression, excessive irritability can also appear due to the use of this technique.
Constant radiation damages the skin, nails and hair. However, these consequences were never officially confirmed. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that this is a myth.
Food heated in a microwave oven is harmful to humans, as it can cause gastritis and ulcers.
Reduced sperm activity is another type of negative impact of equipment on health.

Microwave food is not so much harmful as it is useless. Heating under the influence of radiation is a catalyst for the lack of nutritional value even in organic products.

Is microwave oven harmful?

Leading scientists answer in the affirmative the question of whether a microwave oven can have a negative effect on food, while industrialists are trying in every possible way to refute this.

Developers of furnaces are guided by the theory that electromagnetic radiation in the device provides only a thermal function, “forgetting” about the presence of another component—the vortex component. It is she who has a negative impact.

First microwave

Microwaves were invented by German scientists before the attack of Nazi troops on the Soviet Union. Germany used them for mobile troop movements. The documentation, along with medical research, was taken over by specialists from the victorious countries after the end of the war.

The US military immediately classified these developments. Russian scientists began research only in the late fifties, continuing to study the mechanism of action of electric waves. In our country, after numerous tests, the use of microwave ovens was strictly prohibited.

There have been publications and international warnings regarding possible biological consequences and damage to all living things due to the use of such frequency electronic devices.

Let's take a closer look at how microwaves affect food and human health, whether they actually cause harm and how it manifests itself.

For products

Microcurrent treatment of plants causes the destruction of glucosides, alkaloids, galactosides and nitrilosides

Considering the question of whether microwave food is harmful or not, scientists have established the following facts:

meat products processed by a microwave device contain carcinogens;
some amino acids found in dairy products and cereals have also been mutated after processing;
the process of defrosting fruits transforms their galactosides with glucosides, and the resulting particles also contain carcinogenic substances;
the minimal presence of raw vegetables inside a working microwave oven transforms their alkaloids into toxic elements;
the value of food decreases sharply - by 60–90%;
the biological activity of many vitamins and minerals disappears;
microcurrent treatment of plants causes the destruction of glucosides, alkaloids, galactosides and nitrilosides.

Robert Becker published the material “Electricity of the Body”. In it, he refers to data from Russian scientists and records pathologies associated with microwaves.

Here are a few facts he published: some of the amino acids present in breast milk or infant formula are transformed into d-isomers under the influence of microwaves. These substances are recognized as neurotoxic because they deform the nerve system and damage the kidneys.

The writer claims that this is a disaster because women often use artificial breast milk substitutes for their babies, placing them inside microwaves to warm them up. This is how they poison children's bodies.

For human health

Now let's look at the dangers of microwave ovens for human health. The widespread use of these devices in everyday life has a negative impact not only on children, but also on the body of adults.

Microwaves can cause headaches

The harmful and truly dangerous factor caused by microwaves is as follows:

eating food heated in a microwave can provoke a drop in blood pressure;
causes nervousness and dizziness;
provokes headaches;
insomnia appears;
stomach cramps often occur;
reproductive problems are likely;
manifestations of heart disease worsen.

In some individuals, constant use of such a device in everyday life causes cancer. Consumption of food irradiated in a microwave oven provokes neoplasms. Cellular tissues are also degenerated.

Food processed in microwave ovens is harmful to the immune system and digestive system.

At the same time, humans are negatively affected by electromagnetic radiation. It is extremely dangerous for children and pregnant women.

Scientific evidence of negative effects

At the end of the 20th century, a group of Swiss radiated scientists conducted a series of studies to finally determine whether microwave radiation was harmful to health. There was not enough funding to organize full-scale experiments. Therefore, only 1 volunteer took part in the research.

During the first day, the subject ate food that was heated in a microwave oven. The next day, his diet consisted of dishes heated on an electric or gas stove. those emitted regularly took tests from the test subject to obtain scientific confirmation of the harm of the microwave. The results of this experiment confirmed the harm of microwave ovens, as well as the danger of products that are heated in them. those emitted noticed that the volunteer’s blood structure had changed. This increases the risk of cancer.

More authoritative organizations have denied this information. For example, the World Health Organization insists that rays are 100% harmless. Experiments have confirmed suspicions that electromagnetic waves have a negative impact on the health of people using pacemakers. In this regard, WHO recommends that people with such implants refrain from using not only microwave ovens, but also mobile phones.

Independent studies were also carried out by a group of American radiated people. A series of experiments conducted in the early 90s of the last century confirmed the harmfulness of microwave ovens and food heated in them. The main argument is that microwaves are stored in food, which later penetrate into the human body. This negatively affects the digestive system.

Radiation of internal organs is another negative consequence. Therefore, using gas or electric stoves is considered a safer way to heat food. However, there is no consensus on this issue. If those emitted had been able to present real arguments about the harm of microwaves, their sale would have been banned throughout the world.

Scientific confirmation

The constant rumors disturbing society about the dangers of microwaves are a myth or a reality, let’s look at it from scientists. Their opinion about the dangers of electromagnetic devices on health is based on research that began back in 1992.

Experts scrupulously sought to find out whether the devices really harm humans. The conclusions obtained after processing the data indicate that microwaves emitted by microwave ovens cause more harm to people than good.

After heating in the microwave, products retain residual microwave energy inside their molecules

Products obtained after treatment with an electromagnetic field contain residual microwave energy. It is stored inside molecules. When foods are subjected to traditional heating, such changes at the molecular level do not occur.

The resulting findings suggest that people who consistently ate microwaved foods experienced an increase in their blood cholesterol levels while their hemoglobin levels decreased. Thanks to this study, it was possible to prove the harm of microwaves to humans.

Three years before these studies, Swiss scientists also tried to determine how harmful microwave ovens are to the body. Since funding for the project was minimal, the researchers persuaded one person to participate in the experiments.

The essence of the experiments was that the subject alternately changed the principle of nutrition. At first he ate foods prepared by heating on the stove, then processed in the microwave.

Each stage ended with the scientists selecting the required biological materials from the experimental person for analysis. The result of the experiments is clear - food after microwave is really harmful. Taking it causes blood changes that can provoke cancer.

Later, this opinion was categorically denied by WHO representatives, saying that microwave radiation is not capable of negatively affecting food and people.

However, WHO has determined that pacemakers implanted in the patient actively respond to such microwaves. After installing them, you need to give up both microwave ovens and the use of cell phones.

Is microwave oven harmful to human health?

From a scientific perspective, the harm of microwave ovens to human health has been analyzed. Now let's look at the negative consequences more specifically. Let's study the effect of electromagnetic waves on blood and immunity. This will allow us to determine the degree of harm of microwave radiation to people.

Effect on blood composition

The dangers of microwave ovens appear after eating food that has been heated in them. Food exposed to the negative effects of radiation can cause changes in blood composition:

the concentration of white blood cells increases;
the hemoglobin level drops noticeably;
the composition of healthy cholesterol changes;
under the influence of bad cholesterol, plaques form in blood vessels.

Theoretically, microwave ovens are dangerous to health. The harm and benefits of food heated in a microwave will depend on the regularity of using this technique. Electromagnetic waves change the composition of milk - proline is converted into isomers. These substances are toxic and have a negative effect on the nervous system. Now you know whether microwave ovens are harmful to your health.

Effect on protein

To determine whether a microwave oven will harm you, heat the meat in it. Those exposed insist that after this, carcinogens appear in the meat. A similar effect occurs when heating cereals and dairy products. Some researchers even compare the operation of a microwave oven to radiation. The electromagnetic field becomes a catalyst for protein denaturation. It stops dissolving and loses its natural hydrophilicity.

Weakening of the body

When heating food in a microwave oven, the cell membrane of the food is weakened. Food is unusually susceptible to infection by various viruses, fungi and other microorganisms. This is considered one of the main evidence of the harm of microwaves. Microorganisms become a catalyst for weakening human immunity.

Using a microwave oven can also cause rot, which also poses a risk to the human body. Electromagnetic waves suppress the natural cellular repair response. It is because of this that a person’s immunity weakens. Those exposed believe that it is strictly forbidden to stay near microwave ovens for an excessively long time.

The damage caused by these household appliances does not appear instantly. Rather, it has a cumulative effect. those emitted write that up to 10-15 years you can use a microwave without feeling any harm, but later various diseases appear.

conclusions

Is it worth risking your health for a little convenience? Avoid cooking food in the microwave and avoid carcinogens that are produced from it.

If you're skeptical about this information, at least minimize your use of the device just in case until you come to a different solution.

So we looked at the question of how harmful microwave ovens are to human health. Draw conclusions. It’s up to you to use it or not, but still, let’s be more vigilant about our health.

Based on materials from the Source

Microwave food: benefit or harm

Those exposed to radiation do not have a clear answer to the question, what is the harm from a microwave? Opinions were indeed divided. Some experts defend the point of view that research on the dangers of heating food in the microwave is nothing more than black PR. Others, on the contrary, are confident of a colossal negative impact.

The authoritative publication Earthletter has published arguments revealing the negative properties of microwaves. The article is based on the results of studies conducted in the early 90s:

the quality and nutritional value of products deteriorates;
amino acids are converted into toxic substances, carcinogens;
disturbances occur in the composition of the blood, the performance of the lymphatic system deteriorates;
the stability of the cell membrane is disrupted;
the work of all elements of the nervous system slows down.

emitted emphasize that food thawed or heated in microwave ovens has a low pH. This causes an imbalance in the acid-base balance. Our body becomes acidified, which negatively affects all internal organs without exception.

Is it possible to heat food in the microwave for a child?

Is it harmful to use a microwave to heat baby formula? This is a pressing question that concerns all parents. Rapid heating will lead to the loss of beneficial properties and vitamins originally present in infant formula. Under the influence of electromagnetic radiation, the original structure of milk mixtures is destroyed. Microwaves have not been proven to be harmful, but it’s not worth the risk.

When assessing the harm of microwave food, you need to adhere to several rules:

emitted failed to prove that microwave ovens are capable of becoming a catalyst for the emergence of cancer.
Electromagnetic waves loosen water molecules, resulting in heating. Baby food needs to be heated correctly. Don't set it to maximum power. Carry out heating in several stages.
The effect of microwave ovens on the human body has not been fully studied, so you should not resort to excessively frequent use of this technique.

Microwave is not harmful! Destroying myths

Let's try to prove that microwave ovens are not harmful to human health. Let's refute the above myths. A microwave device has a use or benefit of use.

Microwave food is harmful to children

The reality is different. Famous pediatrician O.E. Komarovsky confirms this in his program. The doctor claims that the microwave is absolutely safe for children. Below you can watch a video on the topic:

According to the doctor, a microwave oven can harm a child only in one case: the baby can get burned due to food that is too hot and unevenly heated. To prevent this from happening, adults should warm up the food. If, nevertheless, the child heats food himself, then he must know the rules for using the device and be careful.

Heating in a microwave oven causes the loss of vitamins and substances necessary for humans.

The second myth was not substantiated either. Disclaimer: Heating as a process will definitely lead to loss of value of the products. Therefore, the harm from the microwave in this case is absolutely equal to the harm from the stove and oven.

Formation of carcinogens under the influence of microwave radiation.

This is also a fiction. The reality is that carcinogens and trans fats appear in food after heating it in oil. Rapid heating, on the contrary, kills various microorganisms (for example, E. coli), because they cannot tolerate such high-speed heating. Food after a household appliance receives a sterilization effect.

We continue the conversation on the topic “microwave oven: benefit or harm.”

Product structure falls apart

Science has confirmed that microwave energy is simply not capable of causing molecular disintegration of molecules. For this reason, there cannot be any harm from a microwave oven.

It is not safe to be near a microwave oven due to radiation.

Not true! The fraction of radiation from the device is negligible. Its size is equal to the radiation from cell phones and medical devices. It can do no harm. The devices are equipped with good protective screens. There is no danger if the appliance is not used with the door open.

Explosion due to metal objects

This is a false opinion. Because the cause of any explosion is the rapid expansion of gas. In our case, metal objects in a microwave oven will only produce sparks. And the resulting sparks will damage the main element of the magnetron device. By the way, heating food in metal objects is not recommended.

The device causes various diseases

To date, there is no evidence of this fact. Not a single person has died due to the fault of a microwave oven.

How to test a microwave for radiation

The dangers of a microwave oven for health have been determined. For example, damage to the protective shell of household appliances can cause burns. There are several ways to check the harmfulness of active use of a stove. The test involves assessing the radiation level. Absolutely all devices that have operated for more than three years must undergo such diagnostics. It is better not to use stoves that have been in active use for more than 9 years.

Testing for radiation levels can be done at home. Step-by-step instruction:

First you need to find and prepare a fluorescent or neon lamp.
The test is carried out at night, be sure to turn off the lights in the house or apartment.
Place a glass of water in the heat chamber and turn on the oven for about 2-3 minutes.
While the microwave is operating, move the light bulb over the body of the device.
Maintain a distance of 5 cm from the surface.
If the beam breaks through the body, the lamp will light up brightly.

Now you know how many years a microwave oven is allowed to be used and how to check the equipment for possible radiation.

How to use a microwave correctly

Many people use household appliances incorrectly, creating additional risks. Reviews about the health hazards of microwaves show that it is extremely important to follow safety rules. Follow simple rules to prevent all the negative consequences discussed earlier:

Carefully read the user manual and technical documentation.
Place the household appliance on a flat surface and only then plug it into the outlet.
Heat food exclusively in microwave-safe plates.
When leaving home, be sure to unplug the device's power cord from the outlet.
Expensive stoves can last up to ten years, while budget ones can last up to three.
Clean your equipment regularly using special cleaning products.
Wash the heat chamber with liquid soap.
Turn on the device when it is completely dry.

There are no scientific facts about the dangers of microwaves. Mostly these are theories and assumptions.

What could be the consequences?

On the Internet and various magazines you can find a lot of information about the negative effects of microwave ovens on human health. All these rumors about harm are nothing more than lies and fiction, anti-advertising. None of those exposed were able to prove that microwave ovens actually modify the structure of food, negatively affect the circulatory system, etc. These are nothing more than working hypotheses.

Of course, the effect of electromagnetic waves on the human body has not been fully studied. However, there is enough available information to make an unambiguous conclusion - there will be no serious consequences from using a microwave oven.

There is only one scientific fact that has been officially confirmed. We have already talked about this in part earlier. Microwave ovens are highly undesirable for people with pacemakers. Under the influence of an electromagnetic field, this implant may cease to perform its functions. There are no other restrictions.

Of course, there are certain health risks associated with malfunctioning household appliances. This primarily concerns burns. However, this is easy to prevent. It is enough to adhere to safety precautions.

How to reduce risks

If scientific research about the dangers of microwave ovens is true for you, and you trust them, then you should follow simple recommendations to reduce the level of risk:

The main purpose of this type of equipment is heating and defrosting food. As for cooking, this is a relatively new function, the impact of which has not yet been fully studied. If in doubt, stop using it.
Choose the right placement for home appliances. It must be in a remote place. It is advisable that it be located away from the dining table.
Do not reheat or defrost food in metal containers. This can cause equipment burnout and even a fire. Products wrapped in foil must be unpacked. Metal elements begin to spark when they enter the heat chamber.
As mentioned earlier, people with a pacemaker should avoid using a microwave oven.
Electromagnetic waves do not perform disinfection or cleaning functions, so wash the walls of the heat chamber regularly.

Following all these recommendations will help minimize the risk to your health.

Is a microwave oven useful?

Having studied the topic of the benefits and harms of microwaves, we come to the conclusion that this topic needs better radiation. The results of scientific research do not have adequate evidence that could confirm the negative effect of radiation from a microwave oven. Of course, there is no benefit as such, except for practicality. Owners of such equipment will be able to heat up food or defrost food in the shortest possible time, which is very convenient. You can safely use the microwave oven without worrying about your health.

How does a microwave oven work?

There are two main theories about how this useful thing was invented. Some associate its appearance with the Nazis, who came up with such a cunning device for quickly preparing food during war. A more plausible version attributes the invention of the microwave to the American Percy Spencer. He conducted research on the effect of magnetic waves on the heating of certain products. The research was successful, he immediately filed a patent for his invention and two years later the first microwave was officially released. The first microwave was used by the military to heat food.

A microwave oven is correctly called an oven with ultrahigh frequency currents. Hence the familiar abbreviation microwave. These waves are emitted by the main device that is not visible to us - the magnetron. The electromagnetic field that it creates during operation makes the magnetic waves begin to oscillate at an ultra-high frequency (about 2450 MHz), and under their influence, the dipole molecules of objects located in the device at a given second begin to oscillate at the same frequency, i.e. food products.

Good to know! A dipole molecule is a molecule in which one side is positively charged and the other negatively charged. The most common dipole molecule is water, which is abundant in foods. With such super-intense vibration of water molecules, food begins to heat up. There is food in which there are few or no water molecules, in which case it will heat up slowly or not at all.

To ensure that food is heated evenly, microwave ovens are equipped with a rotating disk made of heat-resistant glass.

In many models, the magnetron is covered with a translucent plate. It freely transmits magnetic waves, but at the same time does not allow splashes of grease to enter the device.

How safe is such gentle heating of food for human health? Let's try to figure it out.