Study: How washing fruits and vegetables can remove pesticides

People often wash fruits and vegetables in their own way, from soaking in salt water, soaking in vinegar or simply washing with water. But the concern of many people is how to effectively clean pesticides?

Here, Dr. Cynthia Sass, a nutritionist and public health expert working in the US, will explain this clearly.

What does the research say?

According to research by the US National Library of Medicine, the simplest way to remove pesticide residue from fruits and vegetables is to peel them. The results show that this is the most effective way to remove and reduce pesticide residue, according to the health news site Health (US).

Another test by the University of Massachusetts (USA) found that most pesticides are unstable in alkaline solutions. The results showed that baking soda solution can reduce up to 90% of pesticides on the surface of agricultural products, according to the research journal ResearchGate.

Additionally, experts say it is better to wash and scrub produce under running water than to soak it in water.

Washing fruits and vegetables under running water is the best way.

Photo: AI

Some common ways to wash fruits and vegetables

Here, Dr. Cynthia Sass shares some commonly used ways to clean agricultural products.

Rinse under running water. This is the FDA-recommended way to remove pesticides from produce and reduce your risk.

Wash fruits and vegetables, even if you remove the skin. Wash your hands with soap before handling produce.

Place fruits and vegetables in a basket and rinse under running water. This removes more pesticides than soaking them in water.

The FDA recommends not using commercial soaps, detergents, or produce washes because fruits and vegetables can absorb these chemicals.

Wash with baking soda. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 500 ml of water and soak fruits and vegetables for 12-15 minutes to help decompose toxic compounds and remove traces of pesticides on fresh produce.

Then rinse under running water and pat dry.

Wash with vinegar. One of the simplest ways to clean produce is to mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water. Soak the produce for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with clean water and dry. Vinegar helps kill bacteria and remove pesticide residue.

Wash with vinegar and salt. Soaking fruits and vegetables in vinegar and salt is a simple and effective way to remove pesticides, bacteria, and dirt. Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and stir until dissolved. Soak the fruits and vegetables for 10-15 minutes. Then, rinse under running water and pat dry.

What do experts advise?

However, Dr. Sass concludes: While vinegar and baking soda are effective methods, washing fruits and vegetables under running water is the best way.

This is because baking soda is alkaline and will break down the more delicate skin and surface of produce after 12-15 minutes of soaking, and may even soften the produce if left in contact for longer. Only firmer produce like apples, pears, some melons, and squash will retain their freshness.

Additionally, studies have shown that washing fruits and vegetables under tap water can reduce pesticide residues by 26.7-62.9%. Normally, the amount of pesticide residue left on agricultural products is not much, so using tap water has a significant effect, according to the food news site Epicurious (USA).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghien-cuu-cach-rua-trai-cay-va-rau-qua-co-the-loai-bo-thuoc-tru-sau-18525072322392652.htm