Scientists Test Three Solutions for Cleaning Pesticides Off Produce: The Winner is Clear, Chemical-Free and Surprisingly Cheap
Each year, the release of the Environmental Working Group’s ‘Clean Fifteen’ and ‘Dirty Dozen’ lists inspire countless health conscious shoppers looking for the best deals on produce as free from toxic pesticides as possible. This year’s list followed a similar pattern, with the exception of two well known crops that contain “less than one percent detectable pesticides,” even in their non-organic iterations. Despite the good news, there’s still a pesticide-related problem that shows few signs of slowing in the United States, especially with Bayer set to take over Monsanto in the coming weeks. The bad news is that glyphosate and other chemicals are more abundant in our environment than ever before. But the good news is that organic food is making a comeback, and there are plenty of ways to mitigate your exposure to harmful pesticides. One of them is by using the best quality homemade produce wash for your fruits and vegetables, and according to a study from the University of Massachusetts, there is one clear winner that happens to be cheap, simple and effective.
University Study Reveals: Baking Soda Better Than Chlorine for Washing Vegetables
The study, published in October 2017 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry by a team of six researchers, looked at three main possible solutions for cleaning produce: pure water, a solution of bleach containing chlorine, and a solution made of water and baking soda.
Why Baking Soda is So Effective at Cleaning Produce (Plus How to Use It)
According to the University of Wisconsin, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has been listed in the U.S. pharmacopoeia since 1848 as an effective natural healing and cleaning substance because it is 99% pure, and has natural chemical and physical properties that make it safe and effective for at least five major household uses.
A recipe of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1.5 liters of water mixed into a bowl and then applied on produce is sufficient for removing harsh, toxic chemicals on your produce, whether organic or non-organic; far superior to just water or a bleach solution.
The Best Type of Baking Soda to Use
While the mainstream brands of baking soda are useful for home remedies and will work in a pinch, it’s important to choose a brand that is mined naturally and not chemically extracted if at all possible. Read the complete article here.
