Microwaves aand protein degradation

[Labarum]

In another forum I saw someone someone advance the view that cooking food in microwave ovens degrades the proteins. He insisted that conventional heat was always to be preferred.

Can anyone point to serious studies on the subject, or give an authoritative answer?

And all because someone asked how best to make scrambled eggs!

[kisstuck]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

Labarum: I really never thought about it much, but I did find an article about it. The main points from the article about nutritional value are listed below and the article is referrenced at the bottom. I don't know about the validity of the study, but you can read it for yourself and make a determination.

Effects of Microwaves on Nutritional Food Values:
1. A decrease in the bioavailability [capability of the body to utilize the nutriment] of B-complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics in all foods;
2. A loss of 60-90% of the vital energy field content of all tested foods;

3. A reduction in the metabolic behavior and integration process capability of alkaloids [organic nitrogen based elements], glucosides and galactosides, and nitrilosides;

4. A destruction of the nutritive value of nucleoproteins in meats;

5. A marked acceleration of structural disintegration in all foods.

www.blessedquietness.com/journal/theworld/microwaveovens.htm

[not2late]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

I've heard of this before, but I don't know much about it.

[Kawispice]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

Maybe microwaves do degrade protein but we eat so much of it on this diet, that we are not in any great danger of protein deficiency I would think.

The other thing is, I don't personally live to eat and I can' afford a full-time chef - so my meals have to be ready quickly, 5 minutes at the most ... and that includes washing the dishes...

[wannadanc]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

I, for one, learned a LONG time ago that just because somthing is in print doesn't mean it is gospel. This is a prime example. Bad science abounds when folks don't take the time to do their OWN homework!

[Labarum]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

I, for one, learned a LONG time ago that just because somthing is in print doesn't mean it is gospel. This is a prime example. Bad science abounds when folks don't take the time to do their OWN homework!

That's why I started the post: who can point to some reliable study? I can run the experiment myself - I'm not a microbiologist, and I don't have a lab!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

It would be fascinating to know more about this... I use the microwave a lot, for flax crackers and heating veggies etc. Would hate to think it's harmful!

[liftinguru]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

Not harmful; rather it is merely substandard to eating foods raw. All heat will rape vegetables of their nutrients. Other foods, not so much, but some. The good news is, microwave cooking is nothing new to Atkins, and 99.99% of Americans cook their food before they eat it, so why worry? I do know a couple that eat everything raw including meat. Needless to say they smell weird and they are scary. I don't use the microwave much because I dislike the way it makes food taste and ruins the texture, and I think other methods are just as fast. But, I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I had to.

[wannadanc]

Re: Microwaves aand protein degradation

I am digressing and remembering - WAY back - back when microwaves were new and back before Atkins had arrived on MY radar screen.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven to FINALLY know a way to reheat mashed potatoes and to have them seem normal - that was just a revolutionary moment for me. It probably had a lot to do w/ my not sharing a thought that food tastes different or strange when out from the MV. It does some things beautifully - but other food are better prepared in other ways.

Anyway - thanks for unearthing that long ago thought of mine.