In today's Washington Post, a column by Robert L. Wolke, author of What
Einstein Told His Cook, aims to debunk claims that microwave cooking saps vegetables of many of their nutrients.
According to Wolke, much of the clamor stems from media interpretations of a Spanish study on how different cooking
methods affect nutrients in vegetables. The culprit, he says, was not microwaving, but cooking vegetables in water.
Much of the focus was on the reported loss of flavonoids, which are water soluble. Since the broccoli was microwaved in
water and then compared to broccoli that had been steamed above boiling water, the loss of flavonoids was obviously
greater. Wolke contends that microwaving veggies with no water is one of the best ways to cook them and still retain
their nutrients.
In defense of microwaved broccoli
by Nick Vagnoni, Posted Mar 1st 2006 @ 6:24PM
In today's Washington Post, a column by Robert L. Wolke, author of What
Einstein Told His Cook, aims to debunk claims that microwave cooking saps vegetables of many of their nutrients.
According to Wolke, much of the clamor stems from media interpretations of a Spanish study on how different cooking
methods affect nutrients in vegetables. The culprit, he says, was not microwaving, but cooking vegetables in water.
Much of the focus was on the reported loss of flavonoids, which are water soluble. Since the broccoli was microwaved in
water and then compared to broccoli that had been steamed above boiling water, the loss of flavonoids was obviously
greater. Wolke contends that microwaving veggies with no water is one of the best ways to cook them and still retain
their nutrients.
Filed Under: Science, Trends, Newspapers, Ingredients, Methods
Tags: broccoli, microwave, Broccoli,Microwave, flavonoids, microwaving, nutrients, robert wolke, spain, study, vegetables
Related Videos
Chew on This
Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar
- Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
- Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
- Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
- Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food
Sponsored Links
HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular
-
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Like33
-
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
Like342
-
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Like9K
-
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Like2K
-
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
Like2K
-
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Like129
-
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Like84
-
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Like72
-
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Like21
-
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
Like176
-
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Like166
-
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Like127
-
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Like1K
-
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
Like5K
-
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
Like110
-
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Like60
-
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
Like47
-
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Like3K
-
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Like37
-
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
Like2K
-
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
Like889
Follow Us
Hungry for news about fast food, slow food, food politics, food personalities, and food controversies? Then sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Most Popular Stories
Slashfood Videos
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work












3-01-2006 @7:24PM Bruce Dearborn Walker said... I cut my vegetables it small pieces and nuke em on a paper plate until they are just a bit softer than crunchy. They keep their color and I can't imagine that they lose many vitamins.
My understanding, though, is that these days very few fruits and vegetables actually have all the nutrients that were present forty years ago when the original measurements were taken.
After they've been nuked, they are usually oiled (sesame or olive), or (seldom) further sauteed, or added to meat or chilis as part of a dish. My nukulator is part of my balanced, healthy diet.
Reply
3-02-2006 @3:02AM McAuliflower said... a little bit beyond nutrients are effected...
from Craig Sams "The Little Food Book":
"Microwaving changes the structure of food and produces radiolytic by-products, new molecules that don’t occur in nature. Concern about such changes has led to research and a report in the Lancet in 1989 referred to the conversion of trans amino acids into non-nutritious forms in baby formula. One amino acid, L-proline, was converted into a form that harms the nervous system and kidneys.
A Swiss clinical study found that people who had eaten microwaved food showed a decrease in the blood level of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the cells. White blood cell counts also decreased, reducing immune function. When this research was published in 1993 the Swiss electrical products dealers obtained a gagging order on the scientists who did the research. The scientists appealed to the European Court of Human Rights in 1998 and the gag was lifted. "
Reply
11-15-2006 @8:46AM Alex said... My understanding, though, is that these days very few fruits and vegetables actually have all the nutrients that were present forty years ago when the original measurements were taken. Absolutely.
Reply