Written by Monique Friedlander, Daily Mail Australia
05:41 January 28, 2024, updated 05:44 January 28, 2024
Controversial fitness influencer Athy Bynes has revealed the strange reason she hasn’t owned a microwave in over 10 years.
The Queensland mother-of-two shared her concerns about the household appliance in a Q&A with fans on Instagram on Saturday, saying she believes microwaves destroy the nutritional value of food.
“Personally, I believe they kill all living nutrients. [There are] A much better and healthier option for reheating food. And radiation,” she replied to a fan who questioned why she didn’t have a microwave.
“It’s been 13 years since we’ve owned it (used it probably about 3 times the last time I rented it). Each one is unique and the majority of families use them. , and I know it’s very useful, but I encourage you to think about it further. There’s no judgment here, just do whatever works for you.” continued.
Athy went on to say that she “loves” using an airfryer instead of just a frying pan to heat food.
Social media is full of claims that microwaves strip nutrients from food, but the truth is that all cooking methods such as steaming, roasting, and air frying can change chemical structures due to heat. This causes some nutrients to be broken down.
This is especially true if the food is cooked for a long time or at very high temperatures.
A Harvard University study found that because microwaves cook food so quickly, they actually preserve vitamins better than other cooking methods.
A 2002 study published in the journal Food Chemistry found that microwaving vegetables is more effective at retaining fiber, which is essential for gut health, than pressure cooking.
Athy’s fears about “radiation” were also proven wrong.
Microwave ovens use microwaves, a type of electromagnetic radiation, to target and excite water molecules in food.
The faster the water molecules rotate, the faster the food will heat up.
Prolonged exposure to radiation can be harmful, but the amount emitted by microwave ovens is regulated and is well below dangerous levels.
Furthermore, no study has ever proven that microwave ovens cause long-term damage to humans.