The Ninja Air Fryer is gradually becoming a staple in many kitchens. This is quite understandable, seeing as you can use the appliance to whip up crispy meals within no time. Besides, you get to save a few coins since the appliance doesn’t require you to saturate your food with oils.
Sounds good, but is it? Why does the Ninja Air fryer have a cancer warning if it is such a resourceful appliance? Well, there’s no need to be alarmed, as the answer is quite simple.
You see, when you are frying foods such as potatoes at high temperatures, they produce acrylamide which is thought to be carcinogenic. The air fryer, therefore, comes with a p65 warning not because it causes cancer but because chances are that the food you cook in it may cause cancer when exposed to temperatures over 338°F.
Do Air Fryers Cause Cancer?
The relationship between air fryers and cancer is not yet fully understood, but there are a few things that are known. The main risk factor associated with using an air fryer is the heat generated by the appliance.
The higher the heat level, the more carcinogenic substances present in food can be released into your body. This means that if you use an air fryer at high temperatures, you could be at risk of getting cancer.
Air fryers tend to have very high temperatures and can reach up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit! If you choose to use an air fryer at this temperature, it’s recommended that you do so only for short periods of time.
How can you Reduce Cancer Risk When Using Air Fryers?
Since the Ninja Air Fryer is such a great appliance that offers you a healthy alternative to frying, is there a way around the cancer risk?
Here are some practices to reduce cancer risk when using air fryers.
Use Less Oil
While an air fryer already uses less oil, you want to still minimize the amount you use. Most of the oils used for cooking contain unhealthy fats and calories. Besides, there’s always the risk of the production of carcinogens when heated at high temperatures. So if you’re using it in your air fryer, then try replacing some or all of the oil with water or other liquids like fruit juices or wine.
Avoid Trans Fats
Trans fats are found in many processed foods and can increase your risk of heart disease and other illnesses. If you want to avoid Trans fats while cooking with an air fryer, use oils that are lower in saturated fat, such as olive oil or coconut oil, instead of those containing Trans fats, like vegetable oil or soybean oil.
Avoid High Heat
When using an air fryer, you want to reduce the temperature to avoid high heat that can cause cancer-causing compounds to form. Most air fryers are equipped with a temperature setting that allows you to lower the temperature when cooking. However, if you’re unsure about how much lower you can safely go, then choose a model that has an indicator light so you can check the internal temperature.
Are Microwaves Safer Than Air Fryers?
The debate over whether to use an air fryer or microwave is one that has gained momentum in the past few years. Granted, both products have their pros and cons, but the choice depends mostly on your own personal preferences.
The Ninja Air Fryer does not function the same as a microwave. It’s a convection oven that cooks food using hot air rather than heat from the bottom or the sides. If you’re looking for a more traditional way to cook your food, then you should definitely consider getting a microwave instead of an air fryer.
Microwaves are much more efficient at heating up food than air fryers. They’re also safer because they don’t use any oil and they don’t require any water to cook with. In addition, microwaves can be used to reheat food, which isn’t possible with an air fryer.
So if you’re looking for convenience and safety in your kitchen, then you should definitely opt for a microwave oven over an air fryer.
Are Ovens Better than Air Fryers?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. It depends on the type of food that you are cooking. If you are cooking something with a lot of moisture, like chicken, then an oven is going to be better. But if you are cooking something like extra crispy French fries or bacon, then an air fryer will be better.
That said, most people are under the impression that air fryers are better than ovens. While it’s true that air fryers do not require oil or grease, they still use it for cooking food. In addition, they can’t cook as many foods at once as an oven can.
In regards to the risk of cancer, ovens are better simply because they do not get to temperatures as high as air fryers which can make your food release carcinogens.
What’s the Downside of Using an Air Fryer?
There’s no doubt that air fryers are one of the greatest inventions of all time. They can make cooking healthier, tastier, and more convenient than ever before. But there’s a downside to them too.
Users are warned about the dangers of using these appliances as some of them were found to have elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are chemicals found in gas ranges, stoves, and space heaters — and they’re known carcinogens.
Is Acrylamide Something to Worry About?
Acrylamide is a carcinogen. It’s a chemical that forms when starchy foods like French fries and potato chips are cooked at high temperatures.
Acrylamide is classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” This means that there’s enough evidence to show that acrylamide can cause cancer, but the evidence is not strong enough to prove it beyond doubt.
Because of this, the FDA recommends keeping acrylamide levels as low as possible by using lower temperatures, avoiding high-frying methods, and cooking foods until they’re fully cooked.
How can you Reduce Acrylamide Exposure?
Now that you know there’s a possibility of your air-fried food causing cancer, what can you do to reduce your exposure? Here are a few things around it:
- Make sure that you’re using high-quality oil or fat with no added sugars. A good example is olive oil.
- Keep your food covered while it’s cooking so that it doesn’t get too hot.
- Cook foods at lower temperatures (150°F) than they’re normally cooked. This will reduce the amount of fat in the food and keep it from burning.