Running your fruit and vegetables under the tap isn’t enough to rid them of the potentially harmful chemicals they’re exposed to while growing, due to being sprayed with pesticides. “The ones most commonly used on fruits and vegetables are herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and bactericide,” explains nutritionist , whose has made her “detoxing” a part of her weekly grocery shop. “There are lots of different types of pesticides, all with specific actions.
” Although removing the skin from your fruit and vegetables (where possible) can help, Shand points out that doing so means you miss out on “gut-feeding fibre and an array of nutrients”. What are endocrine disrupters? “Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are sprayed on our produce, do in fact contribute to hormone imbalance and are absorbed into our bodies if we eat produce that’s not washed properly,” says Shand. EDCs are known as “endocrine mimickers” and are similar in structure to our – and in particular oestrogen.
They have the power to mimic, block or interfere with your key sex hormones. By properly washing your veg, you can minimise exposure and support your hormones. Should you still wash organic fruit and vegetables? In short, yes.
“Toxin exposure is less of an issue with organic fruit and veg, but produce is still handled and exposed to other potential contaminants so it’s best to wash everything before eating,” Shand says. Don’t be fooled by “washed and ready to .