Nexus - 0225 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Continued from page 29 heating.’ Lysozyme and antibody degrada- tion in the coolest samples may simply reflect the development of small hot spots—potentially 60°C or above—during microwaving, noted Madeleine Sigman- Grant of Pennsylvania State University, University Park. And that's to be expected, she said, because microwave heating is inherently uneven—and quite unpre- dictable when volumes less than four milli- litres are involved, as was the case in the Kemer's study. “Goldblum considers use of a microwave to thaw milk an especially bad idea, since it is likely to boil some of the milk before all has even liquefied. Stanford University Medical Center no longer microwaves breast milk, Kerner notes. And that's appropriate, Sigman-Grant believes, because of the small volumes of milk that hospitals typically serve newborms—espe- cially premature infants.” Continued from page 29 snuff out credential-based conjecture. If you wanted to introduce a herbal sup- heating.’ Lysozyme and antibody degrada- Researcher Quan, in a phone interview, plement into the American mainstream and tion in the coolest samples may simply said that he believed the results of research make any health claims for it, you would reflect the development of small hot S° far warranted further detailed study of be subjected to exhaustive documentation spots—potentially 60°C or above—during the effects of microwave cooking on nutri- and costly research. Yet the microwave- microwaving, noted Madeleine Sigman- ents. The summary sentence in an abstract oven industry had only to prove that the Grant of Pennsylvania State University, of the research paper is very clear: = == dangerous microwaves could, indeed, be University Park. And that's to be expected, "Microwaving appears to be contra-indi- contained within the oven and not escape she said, because microwave heating is cated at high temperatures, and questions into the surrounding area where the radia- inherently uneven—and quite unpre- regarding its safety exist even at low tem- tion could do damage to people. The dictable when volumes less than four milli Peratures.” industry must admit that some microwaves litres are involved, as was the case in the The final statement of the study conclu- escape even in the best-made ovens. So , sion reads: far, not one thought has been given by the Kemer's study. “Goldblum considers use of a microwave to thaw milk an especially bad idea, since it is likely to boil some of the milk before all has even liquefied. Stanford University Medical Center no longer microwaves breast milk, Kerner notes. And that's appropriate, Sigman-Grant believes, because of the small volumes of milk that hospitals typically serve newborms—espe- cially premature infants.” "This preliminary study suggests that industry to the possibility that the nutrients microwaving human milk could be detri- could be so altered as to be deleterious to mental. Further studies are needed to health. determine whether and how microwaving ~ Well, this makes sense in a land that could safely be done.” Unfortunately, fur- encourages farmers to poison crops and ther studies are not scheduled at this time. soils with massive amounts of synthesised If there are so many indications that the chemicals, and encourages food processors effects of microwaves on foods can to use additives that enhance shelf-life of degrade the foods far above the known foods regardless of the potential for breakdowns of standard cooking, is it not degrading the health of the consumer. reasonable to conduct exhaustive studies on How many hundreds of pounds of CHASING A STORY living, breathing human beings to deter- microwaved food per capita is consumed in Journalist Tom Valentine, after chasing mine if it's possible that eating microwaved America each year? this story, found it interesting that 'scien- foods continuously, as many people do, can Are we going to continue to take it from tists' have so many ‘beliefs' to express _ be significantly detrimental to individual established authority, without question, on rather than prove fact. Yet facts eventually health? the premise that they know best? oo APRIL - MAY 1995 NEXUS ¢ 77 — The Hidden Hazards of Microwave Cooking —