Most of us are aware that the fruits and vegetables we consume every day have gone through heavy chemical treatment during the process of cultivation. But, what few people know is that pesticides so commonly used by farmers remain as residues on the produce.
Of course, these chemical residues are not visible to the human eye, but this doesn’t make them less dangerous to human health. As the results of random testing on fruits and vegetables conducted by several advocacy groups and NGOs revealed, there are exceedingly high quantities of pesticide residue in produce sold on the market. According to the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), “high levels of pesticide residues can be toxic enough to cause long-term cancer, damage to the nervous and reproductive systems, birth defects, and severe disruption of the immune system.”
As you can hardly do anything about the excessive use of pesticides by farmers, you should learn how to properly clean your produce of chemical residues before consumption. There are a few effective methods to do this completely naturally using some common ingredients from your pantry.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF CHEMICALS
This is how you can clean fruits and vegetables naturally and ensure that you consume pesticide-free produce.
1# Vinegar Soak
A powerful antimicrobial, vinegar is one of the most efficient ingredients to remove germs and pesticides from your produce. Dilute 10% white vinegar with 90% water, and soak your fruits and vegetables in it. Leave it act for a while, making sure you stir the produce around occasionally. Rinse thoroughly.
2# Baking Soda
This is another great method to clean your fruits and vegetables of pesticide residues naturally and efficiently. Fill a big bowl with 5 glasses of water. Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda and stir until well dissolved. Soak the produce in this solution, and leave for 15 minutes to act. Then remove the produce and wipe it dry.
3# Turmeric Water
Owing to its powerful antiseptic properties, turmeric can also be used to effectively remove germs and pesticides from foods. Add 5 teaspoons of turmeric powder to a bowl of boiling water. After it cools, add in the vegetables and fruits leaving them for a while. Rinse them afterwards into a bowl of clean water. Your fruits and vegetables are now safe for consumption!
References:
http://thehealthavengers.com/5-easy-ways-tol-your-produce/?t=THS
