Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a nutritious diet. They contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients.
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check. Eating non-starchy vegetables and fruits like apples, pears, and green leafy vegetables may even promote weight loss. Why you should wash fruits and vegetables people should thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating them. There are two main risks of eating unwashed fruits and vegetables: bacterial contamination and pesticides. Before eating any produce,
- Washing the hands both before and after food preparation.
- Cutting away any damaged areas before preparing or eating.
- Rinsing produce that has a skin before peeling it to prevent dirt and bacteria from transferring into the edible parts.
- Rubbing produce under running water.
- Using a clean vegetable brush to scrub hard produce, such as melons and cucumbers.
- Drying fruits and vegetables with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Removing the outermost leaves of lettuce and cabbage and wash.