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Topics: Health, Science, Environment, Football
Britt Jones
An expert has revealed how dangerous air fryers can be if you’re not using them how you’re supposed to.
Air fryers have become the newest staple for every kitchen, and who can blame people for taking a shine to them?
They allow us all to cook just about anything, and they also make for faster cooking times, which is a welcome bonus.
Air fryers are also cheaper than an oven or microwave, so you can cook as much as you like and whatever you like, without breaking the bank to afford one.
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They are so good, that people pack them when they go away on holiday, and they also use them to cook Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner too.
This versatile thing is a welcome addition to any home.
But you might not know how they work, or the fact that if you use them wrong, it can be damaging to your health.
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They work by rapidly circulating heat to cook our foods, so while our roast potatoes might come out nice and crispy, they've not actually been fried at all.
For this reason, they're often seen as a healthier alternative. But, if used in the wrong way, one doctor believes they could actually be a health hazard.
A GP in the UK has explained why we need to be super careful to look after our air fryers, ensuring that they're cleaned and maintained correctly.
Speaking about using an air fryer, Dr Karan Rajan explained to TikTok followers that the ovens are coated in something called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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PFAS are a group of chemicals, used in food packaging, toiletries, non-stick cookware, and carpets.
According to the American Cancer Society, PFAS have the potential to be a health concern.
This is 'because they don’t break down easily and can stay in the environment and in the human body for a long time'.
"There are many PFAS, but the ones that have been made and used the most in the United States are PFOA and PFOS," they explain.
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"While these two chemicals are no longer made in the US, people can still be exposed to them."
The American Cancer Society explain that studies in lab animals found exposure to PFOA increased the risk of certain tumors, including in the liver, testicles, breast, and pancreas.
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"Other studies have suggested possible links to other cancers, including prostate, bladder, breast, and ovarian cancer. But not all studies have found such links, and more research is needed to clarify these findings," they add.
Dr Karan explained that there's only a potential issue if the air fryer is damaged.
"As long as you don't plan on eating the lining of your air fryer you will be fine," he said.
"And if you're really worried about the non-stick coating you can use a ceramic or stainless steel air fryer."
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It's best to try and avoid scratching your air fryer while cooking and cleaning, to minimise the risk of the coating getting into your food.