Ways to Remove Invincible Pesticides from Fruits and Veggies

Washing your Fruits and vegetables cannot eliminate the most hidden pesticides in your fruits and veggies. Unfortunately, pesticides will always be applied in conventional agricultural practices to protect crops from diseases and pests. Unfortunately, some residue of these pests sticks to fruit and vegetable surfaces, making them harmful to the body. This piece explains the most efficient ways of removing the most invincible pesticide residues from your healthy fruits and veggies.

What You Should Know About Pesticide Residues on Fruits and Veggies

Pesticides can include chemical insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and hybrid chemicals. These chemicals effectively boost crop yield and quality but leave residue on crop surfaces, which poses cancer risks when consumed in significant quantities. Ongoing research has confirmed that aside from high cancer risks, exposure to pesticide residues can also increase your risk of hormonal disruptions, and neurological disorders. Cleaning your fruits and vegetables in the following ways has been proven to eliminate most pesticide residue on your fruits and vegetables.

What are the Best Possible Ways to Remove Pesticides from Fruits and Vegetables?

The following are the most efficient ways to eliminate pesticide residues from your fruits and vegetables;

1. Brush it Off with Vegetable Brush

Do not use your regular toothbrush in this situation, rather you should go for a specialized vegetable brush. This is one effective mechanical pesticide removal option for fruits and veggies with thicker skins, including apples. The bristles of the brush will scrub pesticide residues stuck in the crevices. Ensure the brush is cleaned before brushing the fruits and veggies, then rinse the produce under clean water.

2. Soak the Produce in Vinegar Solution

Soaking your fruit and veggies in a vinegar solution is another effective way of removing pesticide residues. This cleaning method is effective because the acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the chemical residue making it easier to rinse off. According to a Journal of Food Science, vinegar solution can remove up to 98% of pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables. To perform this cleaning, add 1 cup of vinegar to 3 cups of water. Mix the solution properly before soaking your fruits and vegetables for about 15 minutes. Rinse the produce with clean water once removed from the vinegar solution.

3. Soak in Baking Soda Solution

Research published in the Food Control Journal indicates the effectiveness of baking soda in pesticide removal. Baking soda is known to remove as much as 96% of pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables. To perform this procedure, mix a tablespoon of baking soda in 2 cups of water, then soak the fruits or veggies in the solution for about 15 minutes and remove them before rinsing under clean water.

4. Commercial Washes for Pesticide Removal

There are trusted and reliable commercial pesticide washes available in the market today. These products are often formulated with surfactants alongside other elements powerful enough to break down pesticide components. You need to follow the directions on the product label, then soak the fruit or veggies for the recommended time before rinsing the wash off with running water.

More Tips on Removing Pesticide Residues from Your Fruit and Veggies

The following tips can further help you remove pesticide residues from fruits and veggies.

1. Peel and trim fresh produce

Not all fruits and veggies can be trimmed or peeled, but those that can be handled this way will surely have much less pesticide residue. Since pesticide residues are mostly concentrated on the outer part of produce, trimming, and peeling can help lower the pesticide load before other cleaning methods are performed.

2. Use Salt Water to Clean Produce

You can reduce or eliminate chemical residues by boiling water and then mix some salt in it to make a solution and dip your fruits and veggies in them. Soak the produce for about 10 minutes and rub them gently to eliminate the residue. Remove the produce and wash them under cold running water.

3. Use Salt and Turmeric Solution

Salt and turmeric solution mix can effectively remove pesticide residues from fruits and veggies. Turmeric for instance has antimicrobial properties that can eliminate bacteria residue and dissolve pesticides. To create this mix, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a pinch of turmeric inside a bowl of water. Dip your produce in the mixture for about 10 minutes, remove them, and rinse under clean, running water.

This content was originally written by me.