A physician has shared her reasons for discarding her air fryer, expressing concerns over the potential dangers linked to this prevalent kitchen gadget.
Air fryers have quickly become an essential part of many American households, and it’s clear why they are so favored.
Why opt to bake your food for 30-45 minutes in an oven when you can get a similar result in just 15 minutes with an air fryer?
Additionally, air fryers can cook a wide variety of meals, making them incredibly versatile and appealing.
However, Dr. Poonam Desai has pointed out some disadvantages of these devices that are found in numerous American homes.
“I am a longevity doctor and I threw out my air fryer,” Dr. Desai stated in a video she posted on Instagram.
“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 is a white crystalline compound that forms in food when cooked at elevated temperatures.
Although it’s been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals at high concentrations, it has not been definitively linked to cancer in humans.
Dr. Desai further explained, “The longer and hotter the food is cooked, the more acrylamide it can produce. Many air fryers contain non-stick coatings that contain PFAS that can be harmful to health.”
However, thoroughly cleaning your air fryer may help mitigate these chemical risks.
Dr. Richard Anderson, the head of learning and development at High Speed Training, advised 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.”
Keeping your air fryer well-maintained is crucial since some of them contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used in various products including food packaging, toiletries, non-stick cookware, and carpets.
These chemicals are known to persist in the body, as noted by the American Cancer Society, because they do not break down easily.
Studies have indicated that prolonged exposure to such substances may elevate the risk of developing cancer.