4 side-effects of microwave popcorn everyone should know

Think twice before buying those packets of microwave popcorn. Here's why it's a better idea to make your favourite snack the good old way!

Almost everyone enjoys snacking on popcorn while binge-watching their favourite shows and nor do we hesitate paying for the overpriced popcorn at movie theaters. While you re at home, one of the easiest and quickest snack is microwave popcorn and what makes it even more enjoyable is its buttery and salty taste. However, did you know that by having microwave popcorn on a daily basis, you are putting your health and general well-being at risk?

You should stop eating microwave popcorn and instead just switch to making popcorn the traditional way, on your gas stove. Did you know a cup of popcorn without any oil or butter is only 31 calories? Not only is that a cheaper alternative but in the long term, your body will definitely thank you for this decision. Here s why:

1. It can cause obstructive lung diseases

Shockingly, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati in 2009 revealed that obstructive lung diseases was reported among microwave popcorn production employees [1]. The study was conducted at four microwave popcorn production plants and included 765 full-time employees to determine whether exposure to diacetyl, a butter flavouring, was associated with the employees pulmonary function getting adversely affected or not. It was found that these employees faced an eight-fold increased risk for airway obstruction due to the exposure. They also developed bronchiolitis obliterans, a lung disease characterised by fixed airway obstruction. When you re making microwave popcorn at home, be sure to face the opposite direction while opening the packet to reduce your diacetyl exposure.

2. It can cause cancer

Microwave popcorn also contains perfluorochemicals, which is used as a non stick coating on the insides of popcorn bags to prevent the oil or grease from seeping outside the paper bag. In fact, each microwave popcorn paper bag contains perfluorochemicals as high as 300 microg/kg [2]. This chemical tends to fuse with your delicious tasting popcorn while it is getting heated. This chemical is known as a carcinogenic as it has been associated with prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer [3].

3. It is high in trans fats

Trans fats has always been popular and widely used by food manufacturers as it enhances the taste, along with increasing shelf life. Trans fat has been linked to higher cholesterol levels, coronary heart diseases and also substantial weight gain. If you check the ingredients of your favourite microwave popcorn packet, you will find that it is very high in trans fats. We all look at popcorn as a low calories and high fibre snack, but by regularly consuming microwave popcorn, you are only increasing your chances of suffering from lifestyle diseases.

4. The chemicals could wreak havoc with male fertility

As mentioned earlier, the chemicals in microwave popcorn, known as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), can also adversely affect sperm quality in males by interfering with the endocrine activity [4]. Another study conducted by Danish researchers found that while all men have certain amounts of these chemicals in their bodies, those with higher levels of PFCs had lower sperm count (6.2 million spermatozoa) as compared to men who had lower levels of these chemicals (15.5 million spermatozoa) [5]. So make sure to ditch your microwave popcorn packets and instead try this healthy recipe for making a bowl of flavoured popcorn at home.

References

[1]Eur Respir J. 2009 Jul;34(1):63-71. Airway obstruction related to diacetyl exposure at microwave popcorn production facilities. Lockey JE(1), Hilbert TJ, Levin LP, Ryan PH, White KL, Borton EK, Rice CH, McKay RT, LeMasters GK. [2] Food Addit Contam. 2005 Oct;Perfluorochemicals: potential sources of and migration from food packaging. Begley TH(1), White K, Honigfort P, Twaroski ML, Neches R, Walker RA.

[3]Perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctanesulfonate plasma levels and risk of cancer in the general Danish population.Eriksen KT, S rensen M, McLaughlin JK, Lipworth L, Tj nneland A, Overvad K, Raaschou-Nielsen OJ Natl Cancer Inst. 2009 Apr 15; 101(8):605-9.

[4] Hum Reprod. 2012 Aug; Epub 2012 May 30Exposure to perfluorinated compounds and human semen quality in Arctic and European populations. Toft G(1), J nsson BA, Lindh CH, Giwercman A, Spano M, Heederik D, Lenters V, Vermeulen R, Rylander L, Pedersen HS, Ludwicki JK, Zviezdai V, Bonde JP.

[5] Joensen UN, Bossi R, Leffers H, Jensen AA, Skakkeb k NE, J rgensen N. Do Perfluoroalkyl Compounds Impair Human Semen Quality? Environmental Health Perspectives. 2009;117(6):923-927.

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