Is Microwave Dangerous to Health? Doctor Debunks Myths, Says It's Safer Than Grilling
A genetics specialist debunks common health fears about microwaves, confirming they're safer than grilling and preserve nutrients better than boiling—but warns against heating food in plastic containers due to harmful chemical leaching.
Many people worry that microwaving food could cause cancer, destroy nutritional value, or harm long-term health. However, Dr. Liang Sengbin, a specialist in genetics and metabolism in children, explains that using a microwave is actually a fairly safe cooking method that not only doesn't damage DNA but also preserves nutritional content well. It also produces fewer harmful substances compared to grilling or deep-frying.
Dr. Liang posted on his personal Facebook page that microwave radiation is "non-ionizing radiation" that cannot damage DNA or create carcinogenic substances. Therefore, compared to grilling or frying, food prepared in a microwave is one of the methods that produces the least harmful compounds.
The doctor elaborated that a key advantage of microwave cooking is preserving nutritional value effectively. For example, vitamin C in vegetables retains over 90 percent of its content, while boiling may cause more than 70 percent nutrient loss. This is because microwaves cook quickly and apply heat directly from within the food, reducing nutrient loss.
Microwave heating of milk also preserves "lactoferrin," an important milk protein, better than traditional heating methods by approximately 12 percent, and effectively kills bacteria according to international safety standards.
However, Dr. Liang warns that the real concern isn't the microwave itself but the "containers" used, particularly plastic containers that may release Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates when heated. These are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can contaminate food and potentially affect children's development.
The doctor also noted that despite its benefits, microwaves have limitations such as greater moisture loss compared to traditional cooking methods and uneven heating, which may leave some spots not fully heated. He recommends stirring food or flipping it during heating and using a cover to retain moisture.
Ultimately, Dr. Liang emphasized that microwave use is inherently safe. The important thing is to avoid plastic containers and switch to glass or ceramic ones instead for better health safety.
