Fruits are loved for their rich nutritional value and delicious taste. However, the discussion about the hormone content in fruits has also attracted public attention. Many people are concerned that certain fruits may have adverse health effects because they contain hormones.
What is a "hormone" fruit?
The so-called "hormone" fruit usually refers to the fruit that may have been grown with exogenous hormones to promote growth and ripening. These exogenous hormones may be synthetic, similar in function to natural hormones, but not identical, and may be difficult to metabolize by plants, so they tend to accumulate in plants.
3 may contain hormones! Consume with caution
1. Strawberries
Strawberries in the spring are eye-catching, but we need to be aware of the hormones that may be used in the planting process. In order to speed up the growth of strawberries, some growers may use hormone ripening techniques. However, these hormones may remain in the fruit. Especially for children, long-term intake of strawberries containing hormone residues may interfere with normal hormonal balance, negatively affecting growth and health.
2. Mango
The mango ripening season is between May and July, but in order to meet market demand, some growers may employ ripening techniques to market mangoes earlier. These ripening techniques often involve the use of hormones such as ethephon.
Although these hormones can promote the ripening of mangoes, they may also remain in the fruit. Long-term intake of mango containing hormone residues may pose certain health risks.
3. Ripe bananas
Rumor has it that bananas may cause hormone residues if they use ripening agents such as ethephon. However, ethephon is a commonly used ripening agent that is able to release ethylene gas, a naturally occurring plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening. Ethephon is allowed to be used in moderation, but if used in too much amount, it can be detrimental to health.
How to buy fruits?
1. Observe the appearance and color
First of all, pay attention to the appearance and color of the fruit. Fresh fruits usually have a bright color and a high degree of gloss, and the skin should be smooth and intact. For example, when choosing apples, we should choose fruits with uniform color and no blemishes, while when choosing bananas, we should choose fruits with golden skin and no black spots.
In addition, for some fruits, the change in color can also indicate their ripeness. For example, the skin of a mango gradually changes from turquoise to golden yellow as it matures, while kiwifruit changes from a hard green to a softened and dark brown color. By observing these changes, we can more accurately tell whether the fruit is ripe or not.
2. Smell it
Each fruit has a unique smell, which is also an important basis for judging the freshness of the fruit. Fresh fruits usually have a strong fruity aroma, while spoiled fruits may have an off-flavored or odd taste.
For example, when picking a watermelon, we can put our ears close to the watermelon and gently pat it, if we hear a crisp sound accompanied by a rich melon aroma, then the watermelon is usually fresh, and if we smell wine or sourness, it may be that the watermelon has gone bad.
3. Feel the hardness and elasticity
The firmness and elasticity of the fruit are also important factors in judging the quality. In general, fresh fruit should have moderate firmness and elasticity, while spoiled fruit may become soft or too hard.
For example, when picking kiwifruit, we can gently press the surface with our hands, if it feels a certain hardness and elasticity, then the kiwifruit is usually fresh, if it feels too soft or hard and inelastic, it may have been stored for too long or not ripe.
How to avoid the potential risks of hormone fruits?
1. Choose certified organic fruits: Certified organic fruits typically don't use exogenous hormones, so they can be a safer option.
2. Soak in baking soda: If you are concerned that the fruit may contain hormone residues, you can soak it in baking soda for a while to reduce the residues that may be present.
Tell your family that when choosing and eating fruits, you should have a more rational and scientific attitude and less unnecessary worries.