Doctors always advise pregnant women to stay away from any kind of ambient radiation, as this radiation can cause direct damage to the fetus inside the mother's womb. Among the devices considered responsible for this, we can mention microwaves and harmful electromagnetic waves. Therefore, is hiring a microwave oven a big problem that calls for the caution of pregnant women? We will discuss this in detail in a Dalili Medical,  reason now.

Is using a microwave to heat food useful during pregnancy?

 

Yes, provided that the prepared meals are stored, prepared and cooked correctly, following the instructions on the package.

Is heating food in the microwave harmful to pregnant women?

 

In general, it is considered safe to use a microwave oven for pregnant women, provided that some points are observed that will be explained later in the safe instructions for using the microwave oven.

Does standing near the microwave affect your health?

 

Standing in front of the microwave oven can be harmful only when the oven is on. "Microwave energy decreases as you move away from the device, so taking several steps reduces the risk of exposure to dangerous levels of microwave radiation."

**How ​​does the microwave work?**

 

Microwave works by converting electrical energy into radiation energy known as microwave waves. These waves stimulate food particles, which leads to high temperatures.

Microwave waves mainly affect water molecules, while they affect less solid molecules such as fats. When the temperature of the food particles rises, they are heated or cooked according to the duration of the user's choices.

**Using a microwave safely during pregnancy**

 

To ensure your health when using a microwave oven during pregnancy, make sure there are no leaks. Usually, modern microwaves stop working if there is a crack in the door, which makes them safer.

Some experts suggest that if you are nervous, you can put the food in the microwave and move away while cooking to reduce the potential exposure to EMF waves. However, most experts confirm that using a microwave oven is safe during all three months of pregnancy.

What are the harms of the microwave on pregnant women?

 

In general, it is considered safe to use a microwave oven for pregnant women if some guidelines regarding safe use are followed. However, the height of the microwave causes some harm to the pregnant woman in the following cases:

Pregnant women can suffer from problems such as early osteoporosis or tooth decay, for two reasons: the first is that the fetus depends on the nutrients in the mother's food, and the second is that the microwave emits waves and radiation that negatively affect the amount of calcium in food, especially in dairy products. . Calcium is considered as one of the essential nutrients that the whole fetus and mother need.

Also, using a microwave may increase the risk of some health diseases, such as anemia and pernicious anemia. When food is heated in the microwave, the percentage of iron decreases, which affects the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This can lead to changes in the number of white and red blood cells, and the condition may lead to the risk of heart attacks and an increase in heart rate when doing simple effort, which is one of the symptoms of anemia. Therefore, pregnant women are more susceptible to health problems due to microwave radiation and waves. The validity of microwave waves is one of the factors that may lead to fetal malformations, as the emission of these harmful waves in a high proportion negatively affects the quality of food, which reflects on the health of the child who feeds on his mother's food.

The microwave can have a negative effect on the fetus due to the emission of magnetic rays, which increases the possibility of the fetus suffering from birth defects. In addition, UV rays can increase the risk of miscarriage, which we should avoid for any woman.

Some food items contain various impurities, which leads to uneven distribution of internal heat. As a result, the temperature of the outer part rises more than the inner part, which allows some harmful bacteria to survive in the parts that are not exposed to enough heat, which may cause diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to heat the food sufficiently and leave it for a few minutes before eating to ensure even and safe heat distribution.

Pregnant women are always advised to avoid exposure to any kind of radiation, especially during the first months of pregnancy, as this period is considered crucial for the formation of organs. Therefore, it is preferable not to stand near the microwave while it is in operation, despite the lack of studies confirming this, but prevention is always better than cure.

Also, heating food in plastic containers not intended for use in the microwave may lead to the release of harmful substances that negatively affect the health of pregnant women and fetuses.

In addition, it is recommended to heat the breast milk in the microwave, as this may lead to the destruction of the antibacterial agents present in the milk, which deprives the child of its benefits.

What are the safe ways to use the microwave?

 

Microwaves used in microwave ovens are considered safe provided the following points are present:

The user of the microwave oven must make sure that the device is in good condition, without cracks or cracks, and make sure that the door of the microwave oven closes tightly without any openings that could lead to the leakage of rays, which could put the pregnant woman or others at risk.

You should not stand near the glass of the microwave during operation, and stay away from it.

It is necessary to hire containers suitable for heating inside the microwave, such as glass or plastic containers specially designed for use in the microwave, where this is clearly indicated on them. It is necessary to avoid the use of ordinary plastic utensils, because they may release harmful substances when exposed to heat, which poses a risk to the pregnant woman and any other person.

It is forbidden to use conductive vesselsto the heat inside the microwave, such as copper or stainless steel dishes, etc., as this can lead to electrical contact.

When heating liquids in the microwave, we must be aware that the temperature rises in the water without the appearance of small bubbles on the sides of the bowls. This may lead to a sudden boiling bubble, which may cause burns.

* What are the suitable dishes for use in microwave ovens?

 

There are specific containers that should be used for cooking or heating in microwave ovens, in order to avoid possible damage.

- Avoid using metal materials, unlike plastic and ceramics, because metals reflect microwave rays, which means they do not allow them to pass through. Therefore, if you put food in a mineral dish inside the microwave, the foil will not heat up properly. Also, thin pieces of metal, such as foil, can act as air and cause sparks, which is considered a great danger and can lead to a fire in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid using metal utensils in the microwave.

**- Avoiding the use of plastic containers** The content of many plastic materials on compounds disrupts the action of hormones, which may lead to health damage. The most prominent of these compounds is bisphenol (BPA), which is associated with conditions such as cancer, thyroid disorders, and obesity. When these compounds are heated, harmful compounds can leak into the food. Therefore, it is preferable not to put food in a plastic container inside the microwave unless it is clearly stated that it is safe for use in the microwave. Also, avoid using any containers or trays made of aluminum or plastic storage bags not intended for use in the microwave, as they can melt and cause damage to the digestive system. It is also important to be aware that some plastic containers intended for microwaves have a maximum exposure time, so it is recommended to always check the label or contact the manufacturer for more information.

If you are not sure, you can always hire a suitable ceramic pot. This precaution is not limited to microwave ovens only, but heating food in a plastic container is considered a bad idea, regardless of the cooking method you use.

**What causes sparks to occur in the microwave?**

 

Food scattered inside the microwave can cause sparks. Therefore, it is important to clean your electrical equipment regularly. It is also recommended to read the instructions of the manufacturer, and if there are any questions, it is preferable to contact them directly.

** Harms of using a microwave oven on human health **

 

Let's not discuss the health risks associated with microwave cooking, as heating food in this way can have negative effects on the health of the elderly in general, and children in particular. Among the most prominent of these damages are:

- Reducing the percentage of nutrients, minerals and vitamins in the food, as heating the food in the microwave can change the molecular composition of the food, which leads to the body not using the nutritional value of the food when eating.

Using microwaves leads to inflammation of joints and bones, as it reduces the percentage of vitamin B12 by 40%, which is the vitamin responsible for strengthening the nerves.

It also exposes humans to the risk of many serious health diseases, especially cancer. This happens as a result of the formation of carcinogenic substances in food when it is heated in plastic dishes. Among these dangerous substances that can be produced by microwaves: toluene, xylene, and biphenol, which pose a great threat to human health. In addition, microwaves can cause anemia and high cholesterol levels when heating dairy products, which leads to blood disorders and changes in The number of red and white blood cells, as well as negative effects on cholesterol levels.

Also, exposure to non-ionic radiation caused by microwaves increases the risk of heart disease, which exposes heart disease to heart attacks and strokes as a result of increased heart rate due to harmful radiation up to 2.4 GHz.

Microwaves are considered particularly harmful devices for children, as they can lead to health problems such as tissue damage.

It also contributes to the occurrence of alcoholic diseases and nerve weakness, due to its effect on the nutritional value of food.

Humans are exposed to the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and bacterial infections, as heating food in the microwave leads to the formation of bacteria in the food, which negatively affects human health when eating.

It also weakens the immune system, as heating foods containing vitamin C in the microwave reduces its levels, which hinders the body's ability to fight viruses, as vitamin C plays an important role in strengthening the immune system. Also, it can lead to the formation of stones in alcoholics. Since the employment of melamine dishes in the microwave is exposed to high temperatures, which leads to the decomposition of the particles of the dishes. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using melamine dishes when heating food in the microwave, and refrain from using any dishes made of this material.

**Precautions when using a microwave during pregnancy**

 

When using a microwave oven during pregnancy, there are some important points to consider, including:

1. You must follow the instructions attached to the microwave device, especially regarding timings, to avoid any damages or explosions.

2. It is necessary to make sure that the microwave door is closed tightly to avoid the leakage of long waves that negatively affect your health or the health of your fetus.

3. It is preferable not to heat food in plastic containers, in order to avoid changing the content of the food or leaking harmful plastic components to it.

4. It is recommended to avoid using aluminum foil in cooking or heating food in the microwave, to avoid the risk of fire.

5. It is preferable not to stand directly in front of the microwave during operation, to avoid exposure to any radiation leakageIf there is a malfunction or damage to the aircraft.

6. If you have an old microwave, it is better to replace it with a modern and advanced one that does not cause radiation leakage.