Rinsing reality: Baking soda's role in pesticide removal
Fresh fruits appear healthy and full of vitamins, but in reality, they may contain trace amounts of pesticides, preservatives, and dirt. Simply rinsing them under running water is often insufficient to remove all harmful substances. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective way to clean fruits of pesticides that doesn't require expensive products. You only need one item from your kitchen cupboard to effectively eliminate most chemical residues.
Pesticides are commonly used in fruit cultivation to protect against pests and diseases. Unfortunately, their residues can settle on the skin of fruits and sometimes penetrate deep into their structure. Consuming such products without thorough washing may increase the risk of ingesting harmful substances. Fortunately, baking soda serves as a natural cleaning agent, helping effectively remove pesticides, waxes, and other chemicals. So, how should you wash fruits properly to ensure they are genuinely clean?
How to effectively wash fruits with baking soda?
This simple method allows for the removal of up to 80% of pesticides that might remain on the skin of fruits.
Ingredients:
- Approximately 1 litre of water
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Instructions
- Pour the water into a bowl and add the baking soda, mixing thoroughly to dissolve it.
- Place the fruits in the solution and leave them for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly under running water and dry with a paper towel.
Why does baking soda work so well?
Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that dissolves and neutralises pesticides, as well as removes dirt and waxes applied to fruits to extend their shelf life. It is safe, non-toxic, and does not alter the taste of the fruits, so you can use it to wash apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits, and others. Unlike plain water, which only rinses surface dirt, baking soda penetrates the pores of the skin and helps remove even invisible contaminants.
Does baking soda remove all contaminants?
While washing fruits in a baking soda solution significantly reduces pesticide levels and removes waxes and dirt, it's important to remember that it is not a method that completely eliminates all chemical substances. Pesticides used in agriculture can penetrate inside fruits, especially those with thin skins, such as strawberries, blueberries, or grapes. Therefore, the best solution is to choose fruits from organic farms that are not sprayed with synthetic plant protection products. However, if that is not an option, regularly soaking fruits in a baking soda solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the consumption of harmful substances. It’s also worth remembering that peeling fruits further reduces the amount of pesticide residues – although unfortunately, valuable fibre and vitamins are lost along with it.
