What are the health risks of food cooked in an air fryer?
Dec 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
During high-temperature heating, certain components in food may react to form carcinogenic substances such as acrylamide, and long-term, excessive consumption may have adverse health effects. Nutrient loss: High temperatures can destroy heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamins in food, reducing its nutritional density; prolonged consumption may lead to insufficient intake of certain nutrients.
Air-fried foods may pose potential health risks such as the formation of harmful substances, nutrient loss, excessive oil residue, increased digestive burden, and causing "heatiness." The detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Formation of harmful substances: During high-temperature cooking, certain components in food may react to form carcinogens such as acrylamide. Long-term and excessive consumption may negatively affect health.
2. Nutrient loss: The high heat can destroy heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamins in food, reducing its nutritional density. Prolonged consumption may lead to insufficient intake of certain nutrients.
3. Excessive oil residue: Even without adding extra oil, natural fats in food can be released and reabsorbed under high temperatures. Regular consumption may result in excessive fat intake, increasing the risk of obesity and related conditions.
4. Increased digestive burden: High-temperature cooking can make food drier and harder in texture. Some elderly individuals or those with weak digestion may experience discomfort such as bloating or indigestion after eating such food.
5. Causing "heatiness": Air-fried foods are often considered drying and heat-inducing in nature. Frequent and prolonged consumption may lead to an excess of internal heat, resulting in symptoms like dry mouth, sore throat, and swollen tonsils.
When using an air fryer, it's advisable to control cooking temperature and time, avoiding prolonged high-temperature heating. Choose fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean meats whenever possible, combine with a light diet, avoid frequent consumption, and maintain dietary diversity.
