Side Effects Of The Pressure Cooker: You Need To Know

It’s almost impossible to find a healthy recipe nowadays. From fast food chains to cafeterias and restaurants, the lure of unhealthy food is everywhere.

And with the rise of pressure cooking for healthy eating, it’s getting harder for people than ever to make healthy choices.

However, they are some of the most common foods that are least spoiled in hot water.

So, what are the side effects of using a pressure cooker? Keep reading to know more details about the same…

How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?

A pressure cooker can be used in a variety of ways.

What is essential to know, however, is that the cooking time is much shorter.

So, you’re limited to only a few vegetables and fruits that are properly cooked under pressure.

The release of steam created by the water and heat combined forces the lid on and creates high-pressure steam.

The pressure cooks food in a pot or pans on top of this high-pressure steam.

When the pressure is released, the steam goes back into the pot, which will cook your food for a short duration of time as well as preserve its nutrients.

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What are the Side Effects of the Pressure Cooker?

The side effects of pressure cooking are not something that you want to experience. 

Here are some of the pressure cooker effects that you may encounter while cooking;

• The inner lid separates from the pot, or the lid is inflated by a pressure cooker and creates a trap for steam to create an unvented situation.
• Pressure cooking can cause food to become overcooked and mushy.
• Pressure cooking can reduce the nutrient content of some foods, such as vegetables.
• Pressure cooking can also reduce the vitamin content of some foods.
• Some food may not cook at all in the pressure cooker, which will lead to reduced nutritional value.

To prevent these side effects, follow some of these tips:

Follow your recipe’s instructions carefully when using a pressure cooker;

• Don’t improvise with time periods or temperatures as this could cause problems when using a pressure cooker.
• Don’t overfill the pot with food;
• Use a trivet or a bowl if you have one to place your pot in while cooking;
• Wait until the pressure cooker indicator has stopped beeping before opening the lid.
• If you experience any of these side effects, discontinue using the pressure cooker and consult a professional.

Does Pressure Cooker Destroy Nutrients?

It’s been seen that pressure cooking has a greater effect on nutrients in veggies.

However, this doesn’t mean that pressure cooking will destroy all the nutrients present in those vegetables. In fact, the effects are mostly minimal.

All cooking methods reduce nutrients, but to what extent?

According to a 1995 study, pressure cooking preserves more nutrients in food than other methods of cooking;

1. The most significant loss of nutrients occurred during boiling, with only 40 to 75% retained (up to a 60% loss!).
2. Most nutrients were preserved through steaming and roasting (but almost half were lost in some measurements!).
3. Using a pressure cooker preserves nutrients well, retaining 90 to 95% of them.

Wrap Up:

While there are some benefits to pressure cooking, such as shortened cooking times and reduced cooking times, there are also some side effects that you need to be aware of.

Make sure to follow your recipes and use the proper safety precautions when using a pressure cooker. 

You’ll be able to make healthy and delicious meals with this cooking method.

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