Fitness Influencer Ashy Bines Reveals The Bizarre Health Reason She Refuses To Use A Microwave

By Monique Friedlander for Chron Australia

05:41, January 28, 2024 | Updated: 05:44, January 28, 2024

Controversial fitness influencer Ashy Bines has revealed the strange reason she hasn't owned a microwave in over a decade.

The Queensland mother of two expressed her concerns about the appliance during an Instagram question and answer session with fans on Saturday, saying she believes microwaves ruin the nutritional value of food.

“I personally believe they kill all living nutrients.” [There are] much better and healthier options for reheating food. Also radiation,” she replied to a fan who asked why she didn’t own a microwave.

“It's now been 13 years since we had one (the last time we rented there was one that I used maybe three times). Each to their own, and I know most families use them and they're super convenient – but I just encourage you to look into them in more detail too. There's no judgment here – do whatever works for you!' She continued.

Ashy went on to say that she “loves” using both her air fryer and a skillet to reheat her food.

Controversial fitness influencer Ashy Bines (pictured) has revealed the strange reason why she hasn't owned a microwave in over a decade

While there are frequent claims on social media that microwaves strip foods of nutrients, the reality is that all cooking methods – such as steaming, broiling or air frying – cause some nutrients to break down because heat can change their chemical structure.

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

According to Harvard research, microwaves can actually preserve vitamins better than other cooking methods because they cook food faster.

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

Ashy's fears of “radiation” were also exposed.

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

According to Harvard research, microwaves can actually preserve vitamins better than other cooking methods because they cook food faster

The rapidly rotating water molecules cause food to heat up quickly.

While prolonged exposure to radiation can be harmful, there are regulations about how much emissions can come from a microwave, and this is well below any dangerous limit.

Additionally, there has never been any research showing that microwave ovens cause long-term harm to humans.

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