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Experts have rehabilitated the microwave oven and are urging consumers to actively use it
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Today, a microwave oven can be seen in almost every home, it allows you to quickly heat up food and makes life much easier for housewives. The principle of operation of a microwave oven is based on the emission of radio wave energy, which, when penetrating the product, makes the molecules vibrate more strongly. More precisely, radio waves make only water molecules vibrate, due to which the product is heated.
With the advent of this household appliance, various rumors began to appear, not confirmed by any research, according to which products cooked or heated in a microwave are dangerous to health, unsafe for children and pregnant women and can provoke cancerous tumors.
About a quarter of a century ago, biochemist Lita Lee from the University of Colorado noted that every microwave oven produces electromagnetic radiation, and the food from it becomes toxic and carcinogenic. Subsequently, other negative reviews about microwave ovens appeared.
However, consumers preferred convenience and the various warnings did not affect demand for microwave ovens.
Western experts, after a thorough study of this household appliance, noted that there is absolutely no harm from microwaves and called for their active use. First of all, experts noted the convenience - the time of cooking or heating food is significantly reduced, and as is known, the shorter the time of thermal processing of the product, the more nutrients remain in it. For example, to heat vegetables in the microwave, 3-5 minutes will be enough, while frying vegetables in oil leads to the formation of carcinogenic substances in large quantities.
In addition, the microwave oven disinfects plastic dishes well. It is no secret that dangerous bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella multiply on cutting boards. The University of Wisconsin conducted a study that showed that in order to get rid of bacteria on a cutting board, it is enough to put it in the microwave for a few minutes. The same can be done with dirty sponges for washing dishes. Experts recommend rinsing a dirty sponge with lemon juice and vinegar before putting it in the microwave.
In addition, a microwave oven can help "revive" crystallized honey. To do this, just put a jar of honey in the microwave for just 30 seconds and the honey will regain its original appearance. You can also speed up the process of dough rising in the microwave. Some experts suggest rehabilitating old cosmetics using the same microwave. For example, Jacqueline Mariani's research group came to the conclusion that if you put mascara (previously opened, without a brush for application) and a cup of water in the microwave, then after a few minutes the dried mascara will become soft again and can be used for several more weeks.
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