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New York Post
You’re washing your fruits and veggies all wrong — how to ‘detox’ them
By Reda Wigle,
20 days ago
Eat your veggies — not the chemicals on them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just one in 10 Americans is meeting our daily allowance of fruits and vegetables. While the detoxifying qualities of fruits and veggies have been well-established, one nutritionist says produce can benefit from a detox bath of its own.
Experts suggest that rinsing produce under tap water doesn’t do enough to purge it of pesticides and other potentially dangerous chemicals it’s exposed to during growth and harvest.
Nutritionist Jessica Shand explained to British Vogue last week, “The ones most commonly used on fruits and vegetables are herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and bactericides.”
Rinsing may not be enough to get the toxic gunk off your veggies. Apichet – stock.adobe.com
Shand imparts that while removing the skin from fruits and vegetables can help rid them of toxins, it also strips them of fiber and other valuable nutrients. To mitigate these risks, Shand has incorporated a produce “detox” into her wellness routine.
She explains that properly washing fruits and vegetables can minimize exposure to contaminants, specifically endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Experts urge you to clean your greens before eating. Shutterstock
Shand shares that these chemicals are “endocrine mimickers,” meaning they are similar in structure to hormones in the body, specifically estrogen.
“They have the power to mimic, block, or interfere with your key sex hormones,” she told British Vogue. “By properly washing your veg, you can minimize exposure and support your hormones.”
And beware, pricey organic food is not immune to chemical contamination. Shand explains, “Toxin exposure is less of an issue with organic fruit and vegetables, but produce is still handled and exposed to other potential contaminants, so it’s best to wash everything before eating.”
Just one in 10 Americans consumes the recommended amount of fruits and veggies. Tim UR – stock.adobe.com
Shand also urges washing bagged salads and items that are marketed as “washed and ready to eat.”
There are many commercial veggie cleaners on the market, but Shand insists you can clean your produce at home with common kitchen items and her four-step method.
Jessica Shand’s produce detox method Nutritionist Jessica Shand insists a glug of apple cider vinegar can help rid your produce of pesticides. Michelle – stock.adobe.com
1. Place produce in a clean sink filled with fresh water — filtered water is preferable. Pour in one part apple cider vinegar — or just a big glug — to three parts water.
Shand explains, “Apple cider vinegar is rich in anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties, making it an ideal natural food source to detox your produce. You could also use baking soda — adding one teaspoon to two cups of water.”
Apple cider vinegar has also been lauded for its potential weight-loss properties — but there is little scientific evidence that’s the case.
Brushing your produce can help reduce contaminations. Octavian – stock.adobe.com
2. “Using a vegetable brush, gently brush each individual piece of veg then allow to soak for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse,” Shand told British Vogue. “If you’re washing berries, add them to a colander and submerge them into the water for a maximum of five minutes — any longer and they will go mushy.”
Tawashi brushes, made from palm fibers, are particularly useful for removing dirt from root veggies.
Shand stores produce in glass containers. Amazon
3. Remove your fruits and veggies from the sink and dry them with a tea towel. Let berries air dry on a towel for an hour.
4. Transfer the produce into glass, not plastic containers to keep them fresher for longer.
For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/
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