Dr. Poonam Desai, a New York-based longevity doctor, warns against using air fryers, despite their popularity in Australian homes. While air fryers use less oil than deep frying, she says they can produce acrylamide—a chemical linked to cancer—especially when cooking starchy foods like potatoes at high heat.

She also cautions about PFAS, chemicals found in non-stick coatings of some air fryers, which have been linked to certain cancers. Dr. Desai avoids air fryers entirely but says if one must be used, it should be made of stainless steel and only occasionally.

Australian authorities say air fryers are safe if PFAS-free.

In another health tip, Dr. Desai recommends whole milk over skim milk. She explains that whole milk’s fat helps absorb vitamins A and D, which are lost during skim milk processing and added back artificially. Fat also slows glucose spikes, making whole milk more blood sugar-friendly.

She avoids skim milk due to its lack of fat, which can lead to faster blood sugar spikes and poorer nutrient absorption.