In comparison, plain water removed only about 15%, and even industry-standard bleach solutions barely reached 20%.
Here’s why that matters:
Pesticides are fat-soluble and often designed to resist rain. Most don’t come off with a quick rinse.
The real science:
– Baking soda (NaHCO₃) increases pH, which can break down and dislodge pesticide molecules from produce skin.
– The study tested thiabendazole and phosmet, two common pesticides.
– Soaking for 12–15 minutes made a huge difference in residue removal.
– About 20% of the pesticide remained inside the fruit, which no surface method can reach.
This doesn’t mean baking soda is a cure-all, but it is a cheap and effective tool you can start using today.
Try this at home:
– Mix 1 tsp baking soda per 2 cups of cool water
– Soak firm fruits or vegetables (like apples, cucumbers) for 12–15 minutes
– Rinse thoroughly with clean water
For produce with soft skins or crevices, pair the soak with a gentle scrub. And for produce high in pesticide load (like strawberries or spinach), consider buying organic when possible.
Bottom line:
This simple step helps lower your daily chemical exposure. It supports hormone health, mitochondrial health, and long-term resilience without needing a new supplement or fancy tool.
Have you tried this trick before?
#pesticidefree #hormonehealth #detoxnaturally #cleanproduce #guthealthmatters #mitochondriahealth #biohackyourlife
PMID: 29067814