THIS is how you should wash fruits before eating to remove pests

Fruits, undoubtedly, are one of the key elements in a healthy diet that promotes overall wellness when included in a daily routine. Fruits offer numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, improving digestion, and providing essential vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, all of which contribute to overall well-being.


However, no matter how beneficial and wholesome fruits are, eating them with pests only ends up backfiring and harming your health. The main reason why you might consume fruits with pesticides is not washing them properly.


How pesticides harm your health:

Both synthetic and organic biopesticides have harmful health effects at doses higher than those typically found in fruits and vegetables. One review found that pestexposure may be associated with a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease and could alter specific genes involved in its development.

One more analysis of seven studies also found that pestexposure could be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Some research also shows that pestuse may be associated with certain types of cancer. According to one study of over 30,000 female spouses of pestapplicators, increased exposure to organophosphates was linked to a significantly higher risk for hormone-related cancers, such as breast, thyroid, and ovarian cancer.

Another review of human, animal, and test-tube studies had similar findings, reporting that exposure to organophosphate pesticides like malathion, terbufos, and chlorpyrifos may be associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer over time.



Besides, pesticides in fruits can harm health by causing both acute and chronic effects. Acute poisoning from high doses can lead to nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms, while chronic exposure can result in neurological, hormonal, and reproductive issues, as well as an increased risk of certain types of cancer and respiratory conditions.

Acute poisoning:

High exposure to pesticides can cause immediate and severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and even respiratory distress, seizures, or loss of consciousness.

Chronic health issues:

Long-term exposure to pesticides can lead to a range of health problems, including:

Neurological disorders: Pesticides can affect the nervous system, potentially causing tremors, memory loss, and other neurological problems.

Hormonal imbalances: Pesticides can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting hormone production and regulation.

Reproductive issues: Exposure can lead to reproductive problems in both men and women, including decreased fertility and birth defects.

Respiratory conditions: Some pesticides can irritate the respiratory system and lead to respiratory problems.

Kidney and liver damage: Pesticides can be toxic to the liver and kidneys, potentially causing damage to these organs.

Vulnerable groups: Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides, as their bodies are still developing and are more susceptible to the harmful effects of these chemicals.

Reducing exposure: Strategies to reduce pestexposure include washing produce thoroughly, peeling fruits and vegetables, buying organic produce, and growing your own fruits and vegetables.


However, this exposure to pesticides from fruits and vegetables can be limited with the help of a simple practice - washing the produce thoroughly before consuming those.


How to wash fruits to remove pests:


To wash fruits and remove potential pests and pestresidues, rinse them thoroughly under cold, running water, rubbing the surface gently with your hands or a soft brush. For fruits with thicker skins like apples or stone fruits, a quick rinse for about a minute is recommended. Soaking fruits in a vinegar or saltwater solution can also help remove some pesticides.


The following are the key steps and considerations:

Basic rinse:

Wash under cold, running water: Hold the fruit under the tap and gently rub it to remove dirt, debris, and surface microorganisms.

Use a soft brush (for firmer fruits): If the fruit has a firm skin, you can use a soft brush to scrub off any stubborn dirt or wax.

Rinse thoroughly: Ensure the fruit is completely rinsed under clean water before consumption.


Soaking for deeper cleaning:

Baking soda solution: Dissolve baking soda in cold water (e.g., 1 teaspoon per liter) and soak fruits for 5-10 minutes (soaking time may vary depending on the fruit).

Vinegar solution: Mix vinegar and water (e.g., 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and soak the fruit for 5-10 minutes.

Salt water solution: Dissolve salt in water and soak the fruits for 20-30 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly: After soaking, rinse the fruits thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining solution.

Don't use soap: Soap can leave a soapy residue on the fruit, which is not advisable for consumption. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling produce, but refrain from using them on the produce.

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