Caution: Do Not Heat Food in "Non-Microwave Safe" Dishes

Endocrinologist Dr. Anastasia Ghaliyanova warns that "heating plastic in the microwave can release the dangerous compound benzene." According to her, benzene causes mutations and damage to DNA. She states, "Harmful substances can form when heating food in the microwave, depending on the type of dishes used. Therefore, it is never advised to use plastic dishes and containers in the microwave. When heating plastic, a large amount of toxic substances is released, with benzene being the most harmful compound, as it promotes oxidative stress, leading to various mutations and DNA damage. Therefore, it is better to heat food in glass or ceramic dishes." According to her, specialized plastic containers for microwaves, which have the number 5 inside a triangle or a microwave symbol, can be used. She adds, "The heating time for food in the microwave should not exceed one minute, as heating food or placing it in the microwave for a long time can reduce the amount of nutrients by up to 40 percent. Therefore, if there is a possibility to heat food in another way, it is better to use that instead of the microwave."