Do you worry about consuming pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables that are not organic? Do you know the best natural way to clean non-organic produce? A study published by the journal of the American Chemical Society has just come up with the answer, and it’s far easier than you would think.

Organic produce is definitely healthiest, but it’s not always available or affordable. Thankfully there is a simple solution, and it involves an ingredient you probably have at home: baking soda!

Researchers applied two common pesticides to organic Gala apples( the fungicide thiabendazole and the insecticide phosmet). The apples were later washed with three different liquids: tap water, a one percent baking soda with water solution, and a U.S.-EPA-approved commercial bleach which is typically used on fresh produce. The baking soda mixture was the most effective at reducing pesticide content of the apples.

After 12 and 15 minutes of soaking, 80 percent of the thiabendazole was removed, and 96 percent of the phosmet was removed from the apples. Washing the apples with tap water or the bleach solution for two minutes, (this is the industry standard), were far less effective.

Apples are one of the most heavily sprayed crops. A one percent baking soda solution is easy and inexpensive to make up at home, and would be well worth it. This method of cleaning produce would work for any fruit and vegetables where the skin is consumed. Peeling apples also reduces your pesticide intake, but you’d also miss out on valuable nutrients and fiber.

Here is the easy solution you can make at home:

  • Swirl produce in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda per 1 quart water for 30 seconds (the produce should be submerged in at least 1 inch of water), and then rinse under cold running water.

Unfortunately in the modern world it’s not possible to avoid all chemicals in our food, water and air. When chemicals accumulate in our bodies, they can cause our health to break down. This is why I developed my 15 Day Cleanse program. It is designed to safely and effectively detox your body by improving gut, liver and immune health.

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