NHS surgeon Dr Karan Raj has debunked a common air fryer concern
When we first learnt about air fryers the age old saying ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is’ definitely came to mind.
The idea of being able fry chips without oil and eat them guilt free was just unheard of.
No doubt the invention has become a big hit with most UK households, but there has also been some concerns.
I was hoping to get one for Christmas. (Getty Stock Images)
Taking to TikTok, one woman raised the issue of ‘forever chemicals’ because an air fryer is a bit like a non-stick pan and is covered in the chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
They are found in pretty much everything, from drinking water to soil and even air.
PFAS have been linked to some forms of cancer, which is a scary thought.
However, NHS surgeon Dr Karan Raj (@dr.karanr) has responded to these concerns in a video last year, saying: “The biggest worry from fear mongers centres around the non-stick materials used, also known as forever chemicals.
“Forever chemicals have the name because they don’t break down in the environment or in our bodies.
“Also known as PFAS, they are resistant to water, grease, and heat and are found in a range of everyday products including food packaging, clothing, cosmetics, and toilet paper.
“Fun fact, every time you sit down to eat microplastics fall from the air and land in your food, or are already part of your food.
“This is only really an issue if the air fryer is damaged. As long as you don’t plan on eating the lining of your air fryer you will be fine.”
Meanwhile, MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis has issued an air fryer warning of his own.
In an appearance on ITV’s This Morning last year, he discussed the idea of using air fryers in the lead to up to Christmas, saying: “If that’s being done for energy reasons, I would be somewhat sceptical whether that is a good idea.
A lot of TikTok recipes are from using air fryers. (Getty Stock Images)
“If it’s being done for taste, I don’t want to get involved.
“I mean, the benefit of an oven is when you’re cooking a lot for a lot of people, and you can fill all the racks and have it on consistently.
“Air fryers are good for small things that cook quickly.
“If you’re gonna have to use your air fryer 15 different times for different items generally on energy usage, you’d be better off to use an oven.
“So it’s an interesting thought.”
As an alternative, Martin suggested: “A microwave I believe, from memory, gives you consistent heat whereas an oven is warming up to full temperature and then topping it up so it isn’t running at full power the whole time.”Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images/TikTok/@dr.karanr
