The revolutionary kitchen innovation: How Airfryer can help to cook healthier and to reduce potentially harmful chemical compounds.

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Air Fryers: Healthy alternatives to frying

If you have recently looked around in cooking forums or in forums for kitchen appliances, you have certainly already met discussions about Air Fryers. Air Fryers work according to a simple but innovative concept. Imagine: For traditional frying, around five cups of vegetable oil are required - this corresponds to just a little more than one liter. For health -conscious people or those who want to use oil sparingly, this amount is shocking.

The bravo of low -calorie frying

With an Air Fry, the use of oil is reduced to a maximum of two tablespoons. Sounds interesting, isn't it? In addition to the reduced oil consumption, Air Fryers offer another convincing health advantage that many of us know nothing - the reduction of the formation of acrylamide, a potentially dangerous connection in our food.

to make it clear, acrylamide is a toxic substance that could increase the risk of cancer in humans. Understandably, it is the subject of scientific studies. Interestingly, a study found that Air Fryers can reduce the formation of this element by up to 90%.

However, there is a significant restriction to consider. This discovery depends on a decisive factor: us. More precisely how carefully we use Air Fryers. A recently carried out study by the Korea Consumer Agency showed that overheating with Air Fryers can unfortunately lead to the formation of acrylamide and thereby neutralized some of the health benefits.

molecular villain: acrylamide

So why are we concerned about acrylamide? This connection often forms during cooking at high temperatures. Methods such as roasting, grilling, baking and even roasting can contribute to their education. Acrylamide is created as a by-product of the "Maillard reaction", a chemical reaction between amino acid (more precisely asparagin) and reducing sugar when exposed to heat. It occurs when foods are heated to 248 ° F (120 ° C) and higher.

sounds scientific, right? But how does it affect us, the hungry people at the end of the food chain? Well, it is enough to say that this connection has attracted the attentive eyes of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additive (JECFA). The mere fact that she is on her list of health concerns for humans requires our attention.

For more credibility in this case, the European Food Safety Authority also expressed itself in 2015. She confirmed that acrylamide in our food can increase the risk of developing cancer potential. Is that alarming enough? There are more. In high concentration, it is considered a nerve poison. Although the exact effects and their transmission to humans are still being examined, reports indicate an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

But the same Korean study from 2020, which revealed the dangers of overcooking with Air Fryers, also had a positive side. She suggested that Air Fryers could contribute to reducing acrylamide formation.

Small changes, big effects

This shows us that Air Frying can increase the risk of acrylamide formation, especially if we overdo it. On the other hand, methods such as cooking and steaming tend to create less acrylamide. A lesson that we can draw from it is that we should strive for better cooking habits overall - lower temperatures, shorter cooking times and more intelligent use of the tools available to us.

To get the best out of your Air Freyer experience and ensure that your meals are not only delicious but also healthy, you will find some tips for reducing acrylamide formation:
- Don't over cook the food. Remember that the darker the food, the higher the acrylamide content.
- Do not store potatoes in the fridge. This practice leads to increased acrylamide formation when cooking. Instead, choose a cool, dark place.
- Insert the potatoes in water 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This reduces acrylamide formation.
- prefer golden yellow instead of dark brown when roasting, baking or roasting food.

Which oils are best for the air fryen?

When choosing oils for Air Fry (or any other preparation method) you should take into account the smoke point of the oil, the nutrient profile and the taste.

Smoke point: This is the temperature in which an oil smoke and begins to break down. When the oil reaches its smoke point, harmful connections can be released and its nutritional advantages can be lost. Since Air Fryers work at high temperatures, it is important to use oils with a higher smoke point.

nutrient profile: Some oils are more valuable than others and offer heart -healthy fats, vitamins and antioxidants.

taste: Depending on the dish, the taste of the oil can improve or impair the end result.

Taking these aspects into account, there are some of the healthiest oils that you can use for the Air Fryen:

avocado oil: It has one of the highest smoke points at around 520 ° F (271 ° C) and is rich in simply unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Its neutral taste makes it suitable for different dishes.

Extra Virgin olive oil (EVOO): Although its smoke point (about 375 ° F or 190 ° C) is lower than in some other oils, Evoo is often used in Air Fryers due to its intensive taste and numerous health benefits. It has a high content of simply unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

coconut oil (refined): Refined coconut oil has a smoke point of about 450 ° F (232 ° C). Although it contains a lot of saturated fatty acids, some believe that the medium -chain triglycerides (MCTS) can have health benefits in coconut oil.

It is advisable to avoid oils with a low smoke point such as linseed oil, walnut oil and unaffected hemp oil during Air Fryen.

Finally, we should remember that it is also important with an Air Fryer to consume fried foods in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

The best of your Air Fryer out

Although the focus was on the formation of acrylamide, there is much more what we can do with our Air Fryer to make the best of it. Yes, they are real miracles when it comes to reducing calorie consumption, but their advantages extend beyond the preparation methods. The efficiency, convenience and versatility of Air Fryers should not be underestimated. From prepared crispy snacks to cooking entire meals, Air Fryers have revolutionized our kitchens.

Nevertheless, we would not act fairly if we wouldn't give a few more tips that will optimize your Air Freyer experience:

  • Air Fryers are known for their fast cooking times, so adapt their times accordingly. Don't let your food boil over!
  • Even with an Air Fryer, the rule of marinating should not be neglected. It improves the taste and makes the food more delicate.
  • Remember to heat your Air Fryer before adding food. This ensures uniform and efficient preparation