The expert told about mistakes when washing vegetables and fruits

Imported vegetables and fruits have a characteristic glossy sheen. The reason is the layer of wax that manufacturers apply to preserve the presentation and protect the fruits during long-term transportation. The wax coating when washing repels water, and dirt gets into the food. This was announced on December 3 by Maria Zolotareva, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy at RTU MIREA.

"The artificial wax coating used in the modern food industry consists of a mixture of food waxes <...>. These substances are safe for humans, but their porous structure becomes a trap for microparticles of dust, pesticide residues and microorganisms. Simple rinsing under running water removes no more than 15-20% of surface contamination from such fruits," she told Gazeta.Ru»

The expert claims that mechanical action is required for the best cleaning: when washing, the brush removes up to 70% of wax, and special detergents increase efficiency by up to 95%. Instead, you can use baking soda in the proportion of one teaspoon per 500 ml of water.

"Fruits with a complex surface structure require special attention, such as lemons and oranges, whose peel has many pores that retain a waxy composition. If necessary, the peel of these fruits should be soaked in a warm soda solution for 5-7 minutes, followed by brushing," added the Candidate of Sciences.

Zolotareva reminds that after washing with detergents, vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly rinsed under running water. She also notes that washing off the wax coating reduces the shelf life of products, so it is more reasonable to carry out such treatment immediately before use. For storage, it will be enough to wipe the products with a dry, clean cloth to remove surface contamination, the source concluded.

They like it heavier: what fruits and vegetables can not be eaten every day

Experts advise taking into account the glycemic index of foods.

Alexandra Fileva, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia on November 30 that close proximity to pets poses many health threats. For example, parrots and canaries can infect humans with ornithosis, and domestic reptiles can infect humans with salmonellosis. All these are dangerous diseases for humans, the expert emphasized. To reduce the risk of infection, after each contact with animals, you need to wash your hands with soap, and pets themselves should regularly undergo routine checkups with a veterinarian and receive all necessary vaccinations.

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