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Hello, everyone.

I am Yoko Maeda, the supervising physician at BIANCA Aesthetic Medicine.

 

 

Did you know that pesticide residues are detected in 70% of non-organic vegetables?

 

Generally, agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits are grown using pesticides unless they are completely pesticide-free. Pesticide residues refer to the state where pesticides remain on the surface of vegetables and fruits.

 

While pesticides are reduced to some extent during shipping, it takes time for them to completely dissipate. Therefore, products are shipped and sold with residual pesticides still present.

 

The amount of pesticides used is strictly controlled, and residues exceeding regulatory standards are rarely detected. However, certain types of food are more prone to retaining pesticide residues.

 

 

This time, we'll introduce foods with the highest and lowest pesticide residues, as published annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Foods with high levels of pesticide residues

 

 

Leafy greens and fruits eaten raw tend to have higher levels of pesticide residues. It may be best to choose organic options for these foods whenever possible. Utilizing stores or home delivery services that carry reduced-pesticide, pesticide-free, or organic vegetables is also a good idea.

 

Foods with low levels of residual pesticides

 

 

Vegetables that are rarely eaten raw and fruits that are peeled before consumption tend to have lower pesticide residues. These foods are generally considered relatively safe, so organic may not be necessary. While this standard changes slightly each year, it generally follows this pattern.

 

What are the effects of pesticide residues on the human body?

 

You may be wondering what effects eating vegetables and fruits with residual pesticides might have.

 

Pesticides are one cause of inflammation within the body that leads to aging. Humans are composed of approximately 60 trillion cells, each made up of various molecules. Molecules have the property of becoming stable when they pair up, but molecules that do not form pairs are called free radicals.

 

An increase in free radicals disrupts the body's balance, accelerating the aging process. Since pesticides become oxidants that generate free radicals, it's best to avoid ingesting residual pesticides as much as possible.

 

How should I handle vegetables with pesticide residue?

 

To reduce pesticide intake even slightly, it's important to wash off residual pesticides before eating. While not all residual pesticides can be removed, many can be washed away.

 

Research has shown that tap water can wash vegetables just as effectively as expensive vegetable detergents, so tap water should suffice. Another method for removing pesticides involves soaking vegetables in water mixed with vinegar, salt, or baking soda to draw out bitterness, then rinsing them under running water.

 

Before eating or preparing vegetables and fruits, we recommend making a conscious effort to wash them thoroughly before use.

 

Paying attention to your diet is also part of anti-aging care. Be mindful of your daily eating habits to achieve a healthy body. If you're interested in internal anti-aging care, please come in for a consultation.