Whether you are a busy parent or a weight watcher, air fryers offer convenience unlike any other kitchen appliance – when it comes to cooking!
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To call it a breakthrough in the appliance industry might be an understatement for the number of benefits this little machine offers, especially for fried food fanatics. While various sources claim these devices are a healthy alternative to making fried food, other sources also point out the risks involved. Before we dive into the risks and benefits of using a hot air fryer, here's how it works.
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer can be called a table top oven, but unlike baking, it works by deep-frying food. The fan and heating mechanism on the top of a hot air fryer let air flow down and around the food, making it crispy but without oil. Shops like Gimmie, give you easy access to hot air fryers and other small appliances for your kitchen.
Reasons for its growing popularity
Fried food is a guilty pleasure for millions around the world. The rise of the frozen food industry itself is evidence that this food is here to stay. On the other hand, the alarming rise in chronic health problems like diabetes and obesity is also very real.
Air fryers are great cooking utensils and are usually advertised as devices that have the same flavor but lower fat content. For many, the idea may seem too good to be true, as there has also been speculation about potential health risks associated with using hot air fryers.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
Possible weight loss
Consumption of fried food is directly related to obesity, a condition that hinders an individual's ability to perform even everyday tasks. While air fryers do not magically cause the body to lose weight, they do significantly reduce the intake of unhealthy oils, which is directly linked to weight loss.
The safety factor
Deep frying consists of fuel oil in a large container, which can be a risk, especially if there are children around. Not only are oil burns difficult to treat, but they also leave permanent scars on the skin if not treated in a timely manner. Air fryers, on the other hand, have no risk of splashing or spillage, making them a safer alternative.
Lower risk of illness
Since deep-frying food is all about consuming unhealthy fat content, a hot air fryer frees you from the risk of consuming them. This means that many of the health problems associated with cooking with oil are automatically reduced. It significantly reduces the risk of developing many diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Reduced risk of dangerous compounds
Food fried in oil can contain many dangerous compounds, such as acrylamide, which is produced by high-heat cooking methods. This link has been linked to the development of cancers such as pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers, etc. While the claims are still uncertain, there is insufficient evidence to support cooking foods in oil.
Risks of Using an Air Fryer
Harmful connections
As mentioned earlier, acrylamide is a harmful compound that your food can develop from deep-frying. However, a hot air fryer doesn't rule out the possibility of developing other harmful compounds. In addition, even if the likelihood is low, there is still a risk of developing acrylamides during hot air frying.
There is also the possibility of developing heterocyclic amines and polycyclic hydrocarbons, compounds that are linked to a risk of cancer. While the origin of these claims is still unclear, over-frying foods does not rule out the possibility of health risks.
It can't be entirely healthy.
Contrary to popular belief, air fryers are not entirely healthy because fried foods are still fried foods. It still carries the same risks, and the only plus point is that the risks can still develop, just not as early as with deep-frying. Air fryers cannot completely eliminate the health effects of fried and oily foods.
The bottom line
Since the effects of air fried food have not been adequately researched, experts generally recommend avoiding or minimizing the intake of fried food, regardless of how it is cooked.
Optimal health requires a mixture of different cooking methods rather than relying solely on air frying. So make sure you grill, bake, roast, boil, and steam with minimal air frying to ensure a healthy, or at least near-healthy, diet.
