If you have never heard of an air fryer before or seen one, you may have these important questions: “What is it and is it better for you?” Let’s get to the basics. Air fryers is a kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food at high speed.
Is it better for you? Not particularly. Did you know that many air-fryers are made from harmful materials like PTFE & plastics that can leach into our food?
MOST AIR FRIERS ARE COATED WITH TEFLON
Many air fryers are made with nonstick-coated cooking baskets known as Teflon, or non-stick coating. Teflon is a synthetic polymer containing carbon and fluorine called polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. The dangers associated with PTFE are those associated with temperature as this chemical starts to break down when heated above 500F. Teflon has been linked to short term flu-like symptoms and headaches, known as polymer fume fever.
Studies found that the exposure to PTFE can be associated with:
- Thyroid Disfunction
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Decreased fertility
- Weakened immune system
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased risk of kidney, breast, or testicular cancers
AIR FRIERS GENERATE TOXIC COMPOUNDS
Additionally, air friers can create toxic compounds associated with high temperature cooking. The process of air frying leads to the formation of acrylamide that has been linked to various cancers. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen. The chemical is created when foods are heated to temperatures above 120 degrees Celsius (120°C) or 250 degrees Fahrenheit (250°F).