Scientists Test Which Solutions Are Best For Washing Pesticides Off Produce — Baking Soda Was The Winner
July 17, 2019
source: India Times / HomeandDecor
We all know that we should be washing our fruits and vegetables before eating them. Since the majority of produce sold in grocery stores is grown with the help of pesticides, you obviously don’t want to be putting any of these dangerous chemicals into your body. And you should know that plain old water won’t cut it for removing pesticides from produce.
A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts examined three main solutions for washing produce: pure water, a solution of bleach containing chlorine, and a solution made from water and baking soda. Researchers in the study used gala apples that were coated in thiabendazole, a common pesticide. The apples were then washed in one of each solution.
The winner? The baking soda solution. This solution proved that it has the ability to make pesticides degrade faster than the other two solutions. To make your own (all natural) produce wash, mix together one tablespoon of baking soda and 1.5 liters of water. You should then soak your produce in the solution for 8 to 12 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
Buying organic produce is a great way to combat the risk of ingesting pesticides. However, even organic produce can sometimes come in contact with pesticides, so it’s wise to practice the baking soda soaking method on all of your produce. Organic produce tends to be significantly more expensive, so buying non-organic produce is simply more financially realistic for many people.