Did You Know That… Baking Soda…

by hbhs07, posted in Did You Know?

Fruits and vegetables can be polluted in numerous ways before they reach us, and if used in such a state, they can pose a serious threat to our health. The type of pollution depends on the type of product, method of cultivation, the type of transport, and the method of storage and handling. Food can also get contaminated after we buy it, during food preparation, or during inadequate storage. Whatever type of contamination is involved, it must be physically removed before consumption, to avoid foodborne diseases – baking soda can help you with this. 

Rule number one when it comes to consuming fresh produce is to wash the products under running water, even if it is packaged, like tomatoes or capsicums, or pre-washed like spinach and salads. Commercial prewash is performed using chemicals that need to be physically removed by running water. The same rule applies to organic products.

Baking soda removes up to 96% of pesticides from fruit and vegetables.

Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization that advocates for policies that protect human health, maintains a list of the types of conventional fresh produce that contain the most pesticide residues.

EWG’s Dirty Dozen for 2022 

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Peaches
  9. Pears
  10. Bell and hot peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

While there are many baking soda benefits, one of the most important ones is that it removes pesticides from fruit and vegetables.

  • Use a solution of bicarbonate soda (also known as bicarb and baking soda) to soak fruits and vegetables. Add 1 teaspoon of bicarb soda to 1 litre of water and soak for 15 minutes. Then rinse with running water.

Other ways to remove some dirt and pesticides include:

  • Soak in salt water
  • Soak in vinegar solution
  • Peeling the skin after washing it under running water

Research reveals that store-bought vegetable and fruit cleansers are no more useful than soaking in tap water.

Fruits and vegetables are the basis of a healthy organism. By removing as many pesticide residues as possible, we ensure that our consumption of fresh products provides all the necessary health benefits.

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➥ DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to replace medical treatment. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.