Microwaved food

MargaretR · 15-01-2009, 04:10

I know we have discussed microwaved food before.
I have searched for the thread and can't find it.

In recent months I have been learning about vitamins and their functions in body metabolism.
I have come across this Japanese study and thought you might need to know.

Effects of microwave heating on the loss of vitamin B12 in foods

Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in meat (especially liver and shellfish), milk and eggs,
and is seriously affected by microwave cooking, and so the nutritional value of that food is reduced.
The value is reduced by 30 - 40%

Vitamin B12 explained in Wikipedia-

Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.

Vitamin B12 is found in foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
One half chicken breast, provides some .3 µg per serving or 6.0% of your daily value, (DV) 3 ounces of beef, 2.4 µg, or 40% of your DV, one slice of liver 47.9 µg or 780% of your DV, and 3 ounces of Molluscs 84.1 µg, or 1,400 % of your DV, while one egg provides .6 µg or 10% of your DV.
Vegans may have a challenge to ensure that they meet their daily allowance for B-12.

It is the most difficult vitamin for your body to extract from food, so to waste some by microwaving is not a wise practice.

Benipete · 15-01-2009, 04:34

I knew I was going wrong somewhere.

Neil · 15-01-2009, 05:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in meat (especially liver and shellfish), milk and eggs,
and is seriously affected by microwave cooking, and so the nutritional value of that food is reduced.
The value is reduced by 30 - 40%

What did the study say about the amount of B-12 absorbed by the body though? I know that 30-40% of it is lost in the microwave but did that effect how much the body absorbed?

The easy solution to this is when eating microwaved foods make sure you eat 30-40% more

MargaretR · 15-01-2009, 05:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

What did the study say about the amount of B-12 absorbed by the body though? I know that 30-40% of it is lost in the microwave but did that effect how much the body absorbed?

The easy solution to this is when eating microwaved foods make sure you eat 30-40% more

How much is absorbed varys from person to person because it depends on the amount of stomach acidity and the efficiency of the colon.

By the way - stomach acid is needed for this - drugs to limit acid can cause B12 deficiency (and nasty illnesses follow)

Why buy and microwave an 8oz steak when it is only worth 4 1/2oz?, better to grill it and get your moneys worth.

Neil · 15-01-2009, 08:34

Why would anyone microwave a steak?

You did not say what percentage of B12 is destroyed by grilling

jaysay · 15-01-2009, 10:06

Well if it affects the brain it goes to show why so many people are now brain dead, which is readily portrayed by the antics they get up to. Like Neil said, who the hell microwaves a steak, the only thing I use mine for is reheating food or warming things like soup, beans peas etc.

emamum · 15-01-2009, 10:10

i only use mine for baked potatoes that get crisped in the oven afterwards and tylers milk at bedtime. i could probably get rid of it and not really notice.

Food doesnt taste the same if you zap it

magpie · 15-01-2009, 22:30

I use mine all the time.... would be lost with out it: prick the pack and the meal is done: very lazy but I only cook for one most of the time, so not worth the effort

MargaretR · 20-01-2009, 09:45

They have found a useful and enviromentally friendly use for microwave technology.
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Microwaves 'cook ballast aliens'
Perhaps now that the manufacturers have an alternative outlet, the truth will be allowed to be revealed
Omega-News: Still 'Cooking' With Microwaves?

yerself · 21-01-2009, 08:10

MagaretR with recipe book, preparing her evening meal:

emzy · 21-01-2009, 08:56

I use my microwave quite a bit, had to use it all the time when my cooker broke. I generally use the microwave where i can instead of the hob as its safer with the little ones running around