Health Hazards Of Eating Microwave Popcorn

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Popcorn is a favourite snack, especially for kids. A movie without a cup of popcorn will definitely be out of scene. But, do you know that there are few health hazards of eating microwave popcorn as well? Let’s read to find more.

Many recent studies show that microwave popcorns contain many cancer-causing chemicals.

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Conventional method to make popcorn is to heat maize with some oil in a closed jar. But, microwave is the popular option nowadays.

Microwave popcorn consists of popcorn which is not popped. This is usually in a sealed paper bag, which needs to be heated in the microwave.

They come with a lot of seasonings- natural and artificial. The bag is designed to avoid the popped kernel from scorching, especially when it is popped in the microwave.

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There are many health hazards of eating microwave popcorn. When popped in the microwave there is a chance that a few of the kernels will not pop, especially when the shell is damaged.

Homemade popcorns are always a better choice when it comes to your health. The following are a few of the health risks eating microwave popcorn.

Burns
This is one of the health risks eating microwave popcorn. Care should be taken when opening the bags, as this causes steam. Which when opened can cause severe burns to the face and the hands.

PFOA
These sealed bags are coated with a chemical which will break the cooking process and form a chemical called PFOA. There are studies that show that these chemicals are carcinogenic in nature. When consumed for a long term, this may cause cancer.

Diacetyl
One of the health hazards of eating microwave popcorn is the presence of this chemical. Diacetyl, is used to give the microwave popcorn a butter flavour. A bag or two a week can be harmful to the body.

TBHQ
This is a very common preservative, which is found in many snacks and at the same time even in microwave popcorn. Though its quantity is very small, the accumulation of this can be a burden to the body.

Lung Disease
There is a particular lung disease that is associated with the microwave popcorn. This occurs mainly due to diacetyl. There is a scarring of the airways, making breathing difficult.

Unhealthy Toppings
The health hazards of eating microwave popcorn are that it is saturated salt and fat. These popcorns always contain high levels of salt. Air popping is one of the best without any artificial ingredients.

Gastrointestinal Problems
There will be a problem with this when you have a gastrointestinal condition. This condition will require a low-fibre or low-residue diet. Popcorn can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Tooth Damage
Inevitably there will be a lot of kernels that are not popped. These hard pieces can chip and crack the teeth. These kernels can get stuck in the teeth causing gum irritation.

Fat, Salt & Calories
When all the extras come in there is no doubt that there are health hazards of eating microwave popcorn. Plain air popped popcorn without any toppings are the best option.

Choking Hazard
This is not a good snack for children who are below 5 years of age. There are chances that they can choke on the popped corn as well as on the kernels.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.