Expert: Kevin Johnson - 8/25/2009

Question
A lot of health food people feel that microwaves damage food.  I heard from one person that if you heat water in a microwave <(then let cool off) and use to water plants they will not do as well as plants watered with regular water and that this proves to you that microwave is bad for food.  <What do you think?

Thanks,
Donna

Answer
Hello Donna,

microwave radiation is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths between radio waves and infrared light (heat radiation). The wavelengths used in a microwave oven are tuned so that they are absorbed by water, fats and sugars in food. These substances are heated by the energy they absorb.

Pure water is not changed in any physical or chemical way by microwave heating and subsequent cooling.

I see no way how previously microwave-heated water could be inferior to tap water or bottled drinking water for watering plants. Hot water is of course not good for plants.

I hope I could help you a bit.

Peace,
 Kevin