How many times have you had allergic reactions? It's no surprise if you have heard it several times because allergic reactions can happen in many ways. The causative agents, referred to as allergens, can attack different parts of your body, including your skin, respiratory system, blood or digestive system. The food you eat can easily result in an allergic reaction. It encounters sensitive parts of your body that could respond undesirably to the contents of the food.
Pesticides used when rearing and processing food products can contribute to allergens' presence in fruits and vegetables. Here is a piece that explains some clever tricks you can use to remove pesticide residue from fresh vegetable and fruits before consumption:
Soaking in Vinegar
Soaking your fruits in vinegar is the first technique to purify your fruits and vegetables. Vinegar effectively neutralises the effect of harsh pesticide residue, leaving the fresh produce fit for your consumption. The best way to do this is by whipping up a solution comprising nine parts of clean water and one part of vinegar. Let the produce soak in the solution for a few minutes before extracting it and rinsing with clean water. Be sure to stir the food thoroughly before removing it. Stirring maximises the contact surface contact between the food and cleaning solution, increasing the cleaning effectiveness.
Be wary when rinsing fruits with a porous, thin peel. One example is berries. Rinse them tenderly to protect their outer skin.
Use Salty Water
Typically, washing your fruits and vegetables with clean water will remove a high percentage of the pesticide residues they might have. However, adding salt to the equation enhances the water's antiseptic qualities and helps get rid of the tough pesticide residue. A salty solution does a great job when you are washing fruits and vegetables with hard-to-reach crevices. The solution will reach the bottom of the crevices that are naturally impossible to scrub with your fingers. Examples here include guavas, mangoes, pears and peaches.
Blanch and Peel Technique
Blanch and peel technique involves treating your vegetables and fruits to warm water for a few minutes before eating or cooking them. You can follow through the warm water treatment by peeling the fruit or vegetable, especially if they have deep crevices.
Pesticide residue should not be a part of the contents that find their way into your digestive system. They can trigger severe allergies, and you should use these methods to avoid the catastrophic effects of ingesting pesticide residue.