What Happens to Your Food When You Microwave It?

Key Takeaways

Microwave ovens cook food using non-ionizing radiation, which causes vibrations and heat generation in food particles.

Microwaving food does not significantly change the nutritional value of foods.

Microwave ovens are considered safe as the risk of radiation exposure is very low.

Microwave ovens are household products that use a form of radiation to heat food quickly and conveniently. Despite the decades-long popularity of microwave ovens, many people still wonder how microwave ovens affect food and whether they are safe to use.

1. Electricity Produces Electromagnetic Waves

A magnetron in the microwave oven uses electricity to produce electromagnetic waves. These waves, called microwaves, cause particles in food to vibrate and absorb power. These vibrations produce heat