Air fryers are praised for their convenience and ability to crisp food without excess oil. But according to one doctor, they may come with serious health risks.
Dr. Poonam Desai, a specialist in longevity, recently shared why she decided to throw away her air fryer.
“I am a longevity doctor and I threw out my air fryer,” the health expert said in a recent Instagram video.
“While air fryers provide a healthier alternative to deep frying by using less oil, they can produce acrylamides – chemicals linked to cancer – during high-heat cooking.”
Acrylamide, a white crystalline solid, forms on foods when cooked at high temperatures.
The chemical was found to cause cancer in laboratory animals at high levels, however, it’s important to note the same has not been proven for humans.
“The longer and hotter the food is cooked, the more acrylamide it can produce,” Dr Desai continued. “Many air fryers contain non-stick coatings that contain PFAS that can be harmful to health.”
However, giving your air fryer a good clean should help eliminate the chemicals.
Dr Richard Anderson, who is the head of learning and development at High Speed Training, said (via The Daily Express): “It’s recommended that you give your air fryer a light clean after every use and a deeper clean every month, or every few uses if you regularly cook greasy foods.
“For a monthly deep clean, you’ll need to clean all the accessories and inside the appliance more thoroughly to remove burnt-on food, grease and odours.”
He added: “Even though some air fryers are labelled as dishwasher-safe, dishwashers can strip the non-stick coating on the air fryer components.
“For stubborn, baked-on grease, try filling the tray or drawer with water, drop in a dishwasher tablet and leave to soak overnight. Then, simply rinse clean the next day.”
It’s incredibly important that you give your air fryer a good ole’ clean as some of them contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a group of chemicals used in food packaging, toiletries, non-stick cookware, and carpets.
These chemicals don’t ‘break down easily in the body’, according to the American Cancer Society, and can end up being present for a long time.
Some research has suggested that exposure to such chemicals can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Source: unilad.com