Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Avoid the popcorn!


I remember when mom and dad got their first microwave oven. I think I was eight years old. When I asked mom what this thing could do, the very first thing she did was put a bag of microwave popcorn in there and turned it on. I was hypnotized by watching and hearing the kernels pop. (image credit)

Now, according to this article from the AP, it is being learned that frequent use of microwave popcorn could put you at risk for a type of lung disease called "popcorn lung."
[A patient] described progressively worsening respiratory symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath. Tests found his ability to exhale was deteriorating, [Dr. Cecile] Rose [pulmonary specialist] said, although his condition seemed to stabilize after he quit using microwave popcorn.
The article goes on to say that more study and research needs to be done to confirm these findings. But, can you imagine the implications if a definite connection is made? This is really making me think twice. Maybe I should opt more for milk duds rather than popcorn while watching my fave DVDs.

4 comments:

Gerbil said...

Yeah, but those things (i.e., Milk Duds) will take your teeth out. At least, they took one of my baby teeth out when I was 12, and I've stayed away from them since.

Then again, I also lost a temporary crown to a glazed donut (a fresh one, mind you!) and I failed to develop a grudge against donuts.

Anonymous said...

WHAT?! Is there anything safe anymore?!

Kirsten said...

I was 4 when we got our first microwave, but my first memory about it is sitting on the counter next to it while my dad cooked popcorn the old fashioned way on the stove. He forgot to put the lid on and the first kernel popped into my face. What can I say, it was 1978 and he was newly divorced.

Muddy said...

My husband eats this stuff like crazy. The only place he eats it is at work as I cannot stand the smell of the stuff popped at home. He was telling me about this study-and I only half listened. I wonder if it will finally cure him of the habit of microwave popcorn-and yeah...is any food safe anymore?