Almost all the inorganic fruits and vegetables that are available on the market have certain levels of insecticides and pesticides. It is always easier for farmers to use these chemicals for a better yield, but these vegetables and fruits are not fit for human consumption. A lot of pesticides and insecticides have been linked to numerous health-related defects, especially among pregnant women, that can pose serious health threats to the unborn child.
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Although the ingestion of pesticides in moderate quantities doesn't pose a serious threat to human health, perpetual consumption is extremely harmful. As per the National Institutes of Health, there are multiple harmful effects of pesticide consumption on human beings, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Here are some of the top fruits and vegetables that are more vulnerable to being highly interested in pesticides and cleaning processes to follow before consuming them. Buyers must look out for organic and healthier brands or sellers of these vegetables and fruits for better health.
* Strawberries
Strawberries generally remain at the top of the list of fruits and vegetables that have high quantities of pesticides. Strawberries are always more susceptible to being attacked by different kinds of pests and diseases, which is why large amounts of pesticides are always applied to these berries during the process of cultivation.
It is very important to clean strawberries properly before consuming them. The right way to clean strawberries is by first washing them under tap water and then boiling them properly. The two of these steps will ensure that most of the pesticide residues are cleaned properly and strawberries are safe for consumption.
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* Spinach
As per the National Institutes of Health, spinach is generally treated in open fields with three commercial pesticides, including propamocarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, and chlorantraniliprole. The concentration of these three pesticides is generally very high because spinach is prone to attracting different types of insects, which can spoil the cultivation.
The right way to remove pesticides from spinach is by washing it in a mixture of vinegar and water. The mixture must contain one part vinegar and four parts water. Spinach leaves must be soaked properly in this mixture for at least one hour. These leaves must then be washed in cold water properly before being used.
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* Grapes
The use of pesticides in the cultivation of grapes is quite prevalent. Although the concentration may vary, most grapes are cultivated with the use of some of the other kinds of pesticides. According to the National Institutes of Health, in a 2019 study, table grapes were contaminated with 96 different pesticides. Some methods can be used to make grapes better as compared to their original form.
First, the grapes have to be washed under tap water for at least 30 seconds. This must be wrapped gently so that all the upper layer gets washed off. Now, in a clean bowl, the grapes have to be soaked with cool, clean water until they get dissolved properly. This has to be done for 5 to 10 minutes for the best results.
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* Bell Peppers
Different types of bell peppers are considered exquisite vegetables in many parts of the world. The use of pesticides and insecticides for the cultivation of bell peppers is very common in the agriculture industry. One can either go for organic sources of bell peppers or clean the normal bell peppers properly before using them.
One must avoid using cleaners like soaps, detergents, or other commercial washing products for cleaning fruits and vegetables. Water alone is quite effective in cleaning fruits and vegetables. One can simply take a strainer, keep the bell peppers inside the strainer and keep it under tap water for at least one minute. All the parts of the bell paper must be cleaned properly.
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* Peaches
Peaches are also fruits that have at least one pesticide sprayed on them during their cultivation. The insecticides and pesticides present in peaches can cause a lot of damage to the body. The best way to eat peaches without worrying about pesticides is by peeling the outer layer of the peaches and only eating the internal part. If one wants to eat the outer layer of the peaches, then the right way to go about it is by washing the peaches under tap water properly.
* Apples
As per the National Institutes of Health, the peel of an apple contains compounds of polyphenols as well as a lot of pesticides. The outer layer of apples is more susceptible to insecticides and pesticides. Just like peaches, the right way to eat apples is by removing the peels from the outside and only eating the pulp. The flesh of apples is less likely to contain pesticides as compared to the peel. One can also go for organic brands that sell pesticide-free apples instead of buying the regular variety of apples.