Health | How to really eliminate pests in strawberries? | Technology and science | science

Leading a healthy life is related to the consumption of fruits, vegetables in the daily diet. However, it is not enough to feed in this way if we do not clean these products properly, because we could harbor parasites in our body.

The parasites known as Giardia Lamblia hide well, leave their eggs or become encysted in vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage and fruits, that they are strawberries and raspberries This can put people's health at risk.

Manuel Espinoza, infectologist National Institute of Health (INS), detailed for Trade that these vegetables and fruits are easily infected because they are grown in the soil and irrigated with wastewater containing human faeces, thus promoting the appearance of parasites.

It is true that this practice is known, but many people consume these foods after washing them with water or by having them immersed in a container containing water and bleach, without taking into account the fact that all parasites do not disappear.

"With bleach, only bacteria will have been killed, but the parasite, eggs or cysts are not eliminated and, once ingested, we could be affected"Espinoza explained.

Compared to strawberrieswhen they are bought, it is necessary to choose the best, never those that are crushed, weakened or liquid, because their external part is weakened and full of germs. "In addition, it is not good to remove the leaves because they serve as a seal type preventing cysts such as salmonella from entering that could infect the fruit."he commented.

Cleaning method

If you bought strawberries You must follow this model of hygiene before consuming them.

They must first be washed under running water to remove all soil, without cutting the leaves, as they ensure that they will not be contaminated inside.

After that, a small solution is made: a neutral liquid soap with water. "With a toothbrush, like a toothbrush, but bigger or a green sponge, we start to rub the surface of each strawberry, brushing, we will remove everything that was left: eggs, parasites that are always there, "he said.

It is then rinsed again and placed in a bowl of water with bleach for 20 minutes. "The bleach will guarantee to kill salmonella"he says. Finally, they are rinsed to be prepared or refrigerated.

"Unfortunately, parasites do not die by throwing hot water in. Another option is to boil them for 15 minutes to eliminate the risk factors."he explained. Espinoza emphasizes, however, that the washing procedure is much more practical.

He also said that it was better to buy this fruit in specialized places. "The ideal is to buy strawberries in places where they sell hydroponic or organic products because they guarantee that they have not been irrigated with contaminated wastewater. For this reason, the eggs of parasites stick together. Many also use impregnated pesticides. "he explained.

The risks

The doctor said that these parasites enter the body and lodge in the intestines, leaving their eggs and developing into adult parasites.

The symptoms appear after the incubation period which lasts between one and three weeks. It is diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, malabsorption syndrome can occur due to destruction of the small intestinal epithelial cells, causing anemia, especially in children.

If you have these symptoms, it is best to contact the doctor.