How to wash vegetables and fruits to remove chemicals? Nutritionists have named 8 simple ways
Elena Bogatova July 13, 2023, 15:30 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Some substances can be dangerous to human health.
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to treat plants and their fruits against pests.
therapist, nutritionist, dermatovenereologist
“None of the methods guarantee the complete removal of all pesticides, but it is possible to reduce their amount on the surface of vegetables and fruits. Here are some ways.”
soft brush
Set the tap water to cold. Place the vegetables or fruits under running water and rinse them well, paying special attention to wrinkles and depressions. Use a sponge or soft brush to gently clean the surface of the food. Rinse food for approximately one minute. After washing them, rinse them again under running water to remove pesticide residue and dirt.
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soda solution
In a large bowl or sink, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with four cups of water. Place the vegetables or fruits in the baking soda solution and let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes. After soaking, rinse food thoroughly under running water to remove baking soda. and pesticide residues.
ozonator
dietitian nutritionist, nutrition consultant
“You can easily buy home ozonators in a store or on the Internet. Ozone is very active and easily neutralizes harmful substances. It is better to take dishes from “neutral” materials: glass, ceramics, plastic, wood, with intact enamel, without chips and cracks.
Rinse food under running water. Pour water into the container and place the products in it. Place the ozonator tube in a container under water, turn on the ozonator for 10-15 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the products under running water.
In this way, you can process not only vegetables and fruits, but also other products that are bought in stores and require washing: meat, nuts.
Hot water
Hot water can be used to remove pesticides from the surface of fruits and vegetables, especially foods with thicker skins like apples, squash, eggplant, or tomatoes.
Prepare a pot of hot water. The water temperature should be higher than 60-70°C, not boiling water. Dip vegetables or fruits in hot water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse vegetables or fruits well under running water after soaking.
acetic solution
Mix apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:4 ratio in a large bowl. Place vegetables or fruits in the solution for 20-30 minutes. After soaking, rinse food thoroughly under running water to remove vinegar and pesticide residue.
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
commercial detergents
Add a certain amount of detergent to the water, and then put the vegetables or fruits in the solution for the specified time. After soaking, rinse food thoroughly under running water to remove detergent and pesticide residue.
Also read:
How to choose delicious cucumbers in the store: 3 tips from a nutritionist
Lemon juice
Dilute lemon juice with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Put vegetables or fruits in the solution for 5-10 minutes. Rinse food well under running water after soaking.
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Special products for pesticide removal
Add the product to the water and soak the food in this solution for the specified time. After soaking, rinse food under running water to remove product and pesticide residues.
Remember that it is best to choose organic products that do not contain pesticides or that contain them in significantly lower amounts.
Most of the methods for washing vegetables and fruits listed above apply to many products.
However, in some cases a special approach may be necessary.
Hard vegetables (such as roots such as potatoes or carrots)
Such products can be washed under running water using a sponge or brush to remove dirt and pesticide residue.
Soft fruits and vegetables (such as berries or leafy greens)
Soft fruits and vegetables are more susceptible to damage, so hard products are not recommended. Rinse them carefully under running water, paying attention to places where pesticides accumulate (veins, stems, skin, stem).
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Hard-skinned fruits and vegetables (such as apples or pears)
Rinse such products under running water and, if necessary, use a soft brush to remove pesticides and surface dirt.
Products with fuzz or fuzz (such as peaches or apricots)
In addition to the above points, in this case, you can use a brush or sponge to gently clean the surface of fruits with pesticide fibers.
In any case, it is best to consult the package instructions or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially when using commercial detergents.
Also read:
The nutritionist told which products should be washed before cooking, and which should not.
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