New research shows that baking soda can remove pesticides from fruits and vegetables

New research shows that baking soda can remove pesticides from fruits and vegetables

Each year, the Environmental Working Group's publication of the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen lists provides valuable guidance for health-conscious shoppers seeking the cleanest products possible.

The latest publication continued the usual trend, with the exception of some common crops that had “less than one percent detectable pesticides,” even in non-organic forms.

Nevertheless, the pesticide problem remains unresolved in the United States, especially in light of Bayer's impending acquisition of Monsanto. Despite the rising levels of glyphosate and other harmful chemicals in our environment, the glimmer of hope is the resurgence of organic foods and a variety of strategies to limit exposure to harmful pesticides.

An effective strategy is to use the highest quality DIY produce washes for your fruits and vegetables. A recent study from the University of Massachusetts has discovered an unexpected winner that is inexpensive, simple and efficient.

Study Insights: Baking soda outperforms chlorine in laundry products

The study, published in October 2017 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry by a team of six scientists, evaluated three primary produce cleaning agents: plain water, a chlorine bleach solution, and a water and baking soda solution.

For testing purposes, the research team used organic Gala apples coated with the fungicide thiabendazole or the pesticide phosmet. The apples were then washed with one of the three solutions.

According to lead researcher Dr. According to Dr. Lili He, the study aimed to check whether “the factory level (of washing) is already effective” in removing these chemicals.

Baking soda proved to be the undisputed champion due to its superior ability to accelerate the breakdown of pesticides compared to the other solutions.

The Remarkable Efficiency of Baking Soda in Cleaning Produce (and How to Use It)

The University of Wisconsin notes that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has been recognized in the United States Pharmacopeia as a safe and effective cleansing and healing substance since 1848. Its 99% purity and natural chemical and physical properties make it suitable for numerous household applications.

To effectively remove harmful toxins from your products, a simple mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1.5 liters of water is sufficient. This method outperforms both plain water and bleach solution.

To reap the full benefits, the study recommends soaking your Gala apples in the baking soda solution for at least eight minutes. According to the researchers, this duration resulted in “significantly reduced pesticide residues on the surface.”

A longer soak of 12 to 15 minutes results in “virtually no pesticides remaining,” mirroring the results for avocados and sweet corn.

Although opting for organic produce is still preferred because of soil-friendly farming practices and higher antioxidant and mineral content, remember to pick up some baking soda when purchasing conventional produce.

Choosing the best brand of baking powder

Common brands of baking soda may suffice for home use and quick fixes, but it is advisable to choose a naturally derived brand over a chemically derived brand.

My personal choice is Bob's Red Mill baking powder because it uses a traditional mining process that eliminates the need for the chemical processes common with other brands.

The brand offers a more natural alternative to traditional baking powder. Bob’s Red Mill embraces sustainable practices as the company says, “A closed loop leaves the community and its surroundings virtually untouched.” The company's products can be found on Amazon.com. They use water to extract the sodium bicarbonate and completely avoid the use of chemicals. This makes their products gluten-free, aluminum-free and a truly natural option.

If baking soda isn't your preferred choice, you may want to try a mixture of lemon juice and white vinegar. It's important to choose organic vinegar whenever possible, as popular brands like Heinz often make their products from genetically modified corn that may have been doused with Roundup herbicides.

Additional tips for cleaning products

1. Wenn Sie Produkte mit harter Schale wie Kartoffeln oder Gurken waschen, schrubben Sie die Oberfläche gründlich mit einer Gemüsebürste.
2. Blattgemüse kann aufgrund der vielen Spalten schwierig zu reinigen sein. Wenn Sie sie in eine Schüssel mit kaltem Wasser tauchen und herumschwenken, können Sie Schmutz und mögliche Pestizidrückstände entfernen.
3. Produkte mit weicher Schale, wie Tomaten und Weintrauben, sollten unter fließendem Wasser abgespült werden, um Schäden zu vermeiden.
4. Achten Sie darauf, Ihre Produkte gründlich mit einem sauberen Tuch oder Papiertuch zu trocknen, um eventuelle Pestizidrückstände weiter zu entfernen.
5. Vergessen Sie nicht, Produkte zu waschen, deren Schale Sie nicht essen, wie zum Beispiel Bananen oder Orangen. Durch das Schälen können Pestizidrückstände auf den essbaren Teil übertragen werden.
6. Eine Studie aus dem Jahr 2012 ergab, dass das Spülen mit Leitungswasser bei einigen Arten von Produkten wirksamer ist als die Verwendung einer pflanzlichen Reinigungslösung. Wie in diesem Artikel gezeigt wird, kann eine Natronlösung jedoch noch wirksamer sein.

Does baking soda kill tomato blight?

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Does baking soda kill tomato blight?

These tips are designed to give you the knowledge you need to significantly reduce pesticide residues on your produce. The key is to remember that while organic is always the better choice for many reasons, it is still important to clean all of your produce effectively. With this information, you'll be ready to enjoy cleaner, safer fruits and vegetables.

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