Never put these 5 things in the microwave or you’ll regret it!

Microwaves are a very popular and commonly used kitchen appliance. It is a great tool for reheating leftovers from previous meals or quickly preparing meals in just 2 minutes. However, not all foods can be put into the microwave and pressed. Here are 5 things you should never put in the microwave because it will ruin the food and may affect the person who will eat it.

1. Breast milk

Breast milk is a powerful source of antibodies and essential nutrients for babies. Heating milk in the microwave, whether at high or low temperatures, has been proven to destroy beneficial nutrients. And worse, in similar experiments conducted by “Pediatrics Journal,” it was found that heated milk also causes E-coli bacteria, a harmful bacteria for humans, especially infants, to grow faster. Therefore, you should never heat breast milk in the microwave.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is considered a superfood due to its valuable nutrients for human health. However, broccoli has been found to lose up to 97% of beneficial antioxidants when cooked in the microwave. Therefore, to preserve the nutrients, you should not cook broccoli in the microwave. Instead, you can choose other methods such as steaming or boiling, which also save time.

3. Thawed meat

Researchers have found that meat cooked in the microwave for more than 6 minutes loses up to half of its vitamin B-12 content. But the greater danger lies in the hidden large amount of bacteria in thawed meat. And even when the microwave is still running, these bacteria still have the ability to spread and contaminate. Not to mention, if the thawed meat is too large, the thawing time may make the meat either overcooked and lose its taste or still raw and full of bacteria. It is best to thaw meat in the refrigerator overnight.

4. Frozen fruits

Buying frozen food or fruits is not a bad idea, but thawing frozen fruits in the microwave is a bad idea. Studies from the late 1970s showed that thawing fruits in the microwave converts beneficial glucoside and galactoside (the 2 types of sugar in fruits) into cancer-causing substances. Another simple note is that fruits, after being put in the microwave, tend to shrink, wrinkle, and lose their delicious flavor. Instead of thawing fruits in the microwave, it is better to choose thawing by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or simply at room temperature.

5. Food wrapped in plastic wrap or plastic containers

Heating food in plastic containers or wrapped in plastic wrap (even food-grade ones) can release many toxins and harmful chemicals directly into your food. The dangers include toluene, a substance (similar to paint but less concentrated) that can seriously affect the nervous system when inhaled; benzene, which increases the risk of cancer, and other chemicals.