Air fryers are gaining popularity because they can cook food using less oil, making them a healthier choice compared to regular frying. But there’s a lesser-known risk that many people don’t realize.

So, what exactly is air frying?

Air frying is a cooking method that uses the circulation of very hot air to prepare food. The heating element is located at the top of the air fryer, and it works with a strong fan that circulates the hot air around the food. This hot air moves similarly to how heat circulates in a pot of boiling oil.

 

Formation of Cancer Causing Compounds

When you fry food in an air fryer, it goes through something called the Maillard reaction. This happens when amino acids and reducing sugars are heated together, which makes the food turn brown and crispy. While this reaction gives fried foods their tasty flavor and appealing texture, it can also create harmful substances like acrylamide, which is linked to cancer. Acrylamide is considered a likely human carcinogen. It forms when foods are cooked at temperatures over 120 degrees Celsius (or 250 degrees Fahrenheit).

During cooking, a series of chemical reactions involving sugars and amino acids leads to the creation of acrylamide. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates, like potato chips, French fries, and baked goods, have the highest levels of acrylamide, while fish, meat, and vegetables produce less of it when cooked. Acrylamide can also affect DNA, RNA, and other cellular functions, and it has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals. However, there is currently no solid evidence that acrylamide causes cancer in humans.

The Hidden Dangers of “Forever Chemicals”

Many air fryers have non-stick Teflon coatings that contain “forever chemicals” such as PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS. These chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because they stick around in the environment and in our bodies for a long time. When heated, they can leak harmful substances into your food and the air. These toxic chemicals can mess with your hormones and are associated with serious health problems like cancer, low birth weight, and high cholesterol.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even said that there’s no safe level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS. The real risk with PFAS chemicals comes from the buildup of exposure over time since they don’t easily leave your body. This means that your daily contact with PFAS chemicals is important and should be minimized. (study)

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the chemicals may be linked to several cancers, such as  endometrial, ovarian,  throat, pancreatic, breast.

BEST & Safest Air Fryers & Air Fry Ovens 

If you still want to use an air fryer, these are the safest air fryers without PFAS coatings.

1. Breville the Smart Oven®, Convection Toaster Oven, Small Electric Countertop Oven, BOV800XL, Brushed Stainless Steel

2. Oster Compact Countertop Oven With Air Fryer, Stainless Steel

3. Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, 8-1 Oven with Bake, Grill, Broil & Warm Options, Stainless Steel, TOA-70

4. Non-Toxic Air Fryer – Glass AirFryer 5 Quart w/ 360 Visibility, Self-Cleaning, 400F Vortex Air Fryer for Even Cooking, BPA-Free Teflon Free, 6-in-1 Functions, Rotisserie, Roast, Bake – White

References:

1. Ferreira, Fernanda S., et al. “Impact of Air Frying on Cholesterol and Fatty Acids Oxidation in Sardines: Protective Effects of Aromatic Herbs.” Journal of Food Science, vol. 82, no. 12, Dec. 2017, pp. 2823–31. PubMed.

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