Fitness influencer Ashy Bines reveals the bizarre health reason she refuses to use a microwave – but does science agree?

Controversial fitness influencer Ashy Bines has revealed the peculiar reason why she hasn’t owned a microwave for over a decade. 

The Queensland mother-of-two shared her concerns about the household device during an Instagram Q&A with fans on Saturday, saying she believed microwaves ruin the nutritional value of food.

‘Personally for me I believe they kill any live nutrients. [There are] much better, healthier options to re-heat food up. Also radiation,’ she replied to a fan who questioned why she didn’t own a microwave. 

‘It’s been 13 years now since we have owned one (there was one at our last rental I used maybe 3 times). Each to their own, and I know majority of families use them and they are super convenient – but I’d just encourage you to look more into it also. No judgement here – do whatever works for you!’ she continued. 

Ashy went on to say she ‘loves’ using her air fryer as well as a pan to heat up her food. 

While social media is awash with claims that microwaves zap nutrients from food,in reality, all methods of cooking — such as steaming, roasting or air frying — cause some nutrients to break down as heat can change their chemical structure.

This is especially true if a food is cooked for too long or at a very high temperature. 

Because they cook food quicker, microwaves can actually preserve vitamins better than other cooking methods, according to Harvard research. 

The Queensland mother-of-two shared her concerns about the household device during an Instagram Q&A with fans on Saturday, saying she believed microwaves ruin the nutritional value of food

‘Personally for me I believe they kill any live nutrients. [There are] much better, healthier options to re-heat food up. Also radiation,’ she replied to a fan who questioned why she didn’t own a microwave

Microwaving is also better at retaining fibre, which is vital for gut health, compared to pressure cooking vegetables, according to a study published in Food Chemistry in 2002.

Ashy’s fears about ‘radiation’ have also been debunked.  

Microwave ovens use microwaves – a form of electromagnetic radiation – to target and excite the water molecules in food.

Because they cook food quicker, microwaves can actually preserve vitamins better than other cooking methods, according to Harvard research 

The quickly rotating water molecules means food heats up fast.

While extended exposure to radiation can be damaging – there are regulations on how many emissions can come from a microwave – and it is significantly lower than any dangerous level. 

Further, there has never been any research that proves microwave ovens cause any long-term damage to humans.