A hostess serves up french fries prepared in the Philips AirFryer, which uses no cooking oil, at the Philips stand at the 2010 IFA technology and consumer electronics trade fair at Messe Berlin on September 3, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. The 2010 IFA will be open to the public from September 3-8.
Air fryers are one of the new kitchen devices that have gained popularity because of their promises concerning health.
Traditionally, when people fry their foods, they use oils that heighten the risk of certain diseases because, technically, that is fat. But when it comes to cooking with an air fryer, the oil used to make the rinds of your food crispy is removed, but still, the device makes it crispy.
This feature of the health fryer may be the culprit of its entrance in the limelight because, according to Healthline, they claim to lower the fat content of your favorite fried foods like french fries, chicken wings, empanadas, and fish sticks.
Also, you don't have to occasionally flip the food inside the air fryer to make sure that there is no burned food. The convenience and health promise this device use may have attracted users from all over the world.
Read also: 7 Worst Frying Mistakes You Commit That Are Ruining Your Food
Air Fryer Health Benefits
WebMD reports that air fryers can fry anything that is usually fried with oil. They add that the only difference is that it does utilize oil, and the heated air circulates and is pushed by a fan that cooks the food and makes it crispy enough as if it was fried.
Cleveland Clinic notes that when used properly, the body can benefit from an air fryer's use because in their interview with dietitian Ariana Cucuzza, RD, the dietitian shares that most people reduce their calorie intake to 70 percent to 80 percent on average. This only means that when used properly, air fryers can aid in weight loss.
Medical News Today adds that another benefit this device offers is avoiding or lowering the risk of people having acrylamide in their food.
This chemical is formed in some foods like potatoes when it is high-heated. Healthline points out that this compound is classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer to be a possible carcinogen.
WebMD mentions a study demonstrating that air frying lowers the amount of acrylamide in potatoes by 90 percent.
Downside of Using Air Fryer
Cucuzza shares in their interview with Cleveland Clinic that if the air fryer is used every day, people will miss out on the benefits of plant-based fats like avocado oil and olive oil healthy. They add that when the setting is not right, it can still serve charred food.
WebMD mentions another study that shows air frying of fish raised the amount of cholesterol oxidation products, which is linked by studies to coronary heart disease, cancer, and hardening of arteries.
However, the health site notes that adding parsley, chives, and a mixture of both can lower the amount of cholesterol oxidation products.
Healthline adds that frequently eating fried food has a relationship with type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer like lung, prostate, and oral cancers. Medical News Today that air fried foods are still fried foods is why caution is still given to air fryer users.
With this data, we can say that cooking with an air fryer is both good and bad for the body. Moderation is still the key to enjoy the health benefits it offers, and excessive use can lead to danger that you might regret later on.
Related article: Double Frying: The Science To Making Crusty Foods
WATCH: How Does an Air Fryer Work - Is An Air Fryer Healthy? from Sweet Home
