Substances that may be contained in broccoli
Ms. Anjana B Nair - nutrition consultant at Motherhood Hospital, HRBR Layout, Bengaluru (India) - pointed out some unhealthy substances that will stay on broccoli.
Pesticides and waste: Fertilizers and pesticides are often used in the process of growing broccoli. Proper cleaning must be done to remove any remaining chemicals.
Microorganisms and bacteria: Broccoli may encounter microorganisms during growing, transportation and storage. Therefore, we need to wash thoroughly to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Dirt and Debris: Like any other vegetable, broccoli will sometimes have a layer of dirt, sand, or other debris that needs to be washed off.
Health risks if broccoli is not cleaned
According to Ms. Anjana B Nair, depending on the amount of contaminants present on the surface of the vegetable, broccoli that has not been thoroughly washed may contain contaminants, negatively affecting anyone's health. .
Risk of Consuming Contaminants: The surface of broccoli can become covered with dirt, debris, and potentially harmful contaminants such as pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria.
Potential Bacteria: If broccoli comes into contact with contaminated water or surfaces during harvesting, transport or storage, the broccoli may contain dangerous bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella or Listeria . Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain can occur due to ingestion of these bacteria.
Decreased freshness: The flavor and texture of broccoli can be affected by dirt and debris left on the broccoli. Eating muddy or gritty broccoli can make the meal less delicious.
Pesticides: Pesticides are sometimes used in the growing process of broccoli. The risk of exposure to pesticide residues, which can cause long-term health effects, exists if these residues are not sufficiently removed during cleaning.
Allergic reaction: Ms. Nair shared that accidentally swallowing insects or their eggs can cause allergies in some people.
How to clean broccoli?
Ms. Anjana B Nair shows how to clean broccoli before cooking.
- Wash broccoli under running water. To remove dirt or debris from the surface of the broccoli, scrub gently with your hands.
- Cut off leaves and stems: You can remove large leaves and long stems from broccoli. These components are often discarded because they may contain more dirt or debris.
- Soak in water: Place broccoli in a large bowl and pour in water. To help remove any remaining seeds, swirl the broccoli in water and let it soak for a while.
- Rinse again: After soaking, rinse the broccoli one more time under running water to remove any contaminants or loose soil.
- Check for insects: Broccoli sometimes has small insects and their eggs, especially in broccoli branches. Inspect the broccoli thoroughly and if there are any, gently brush them away with a brush or remove them by soaking them in salt water for a short time.
- Use a vegetable brush: If you want, you can scrub the broccoli with a vegetable brush while washing. This is especially useful for cleaning the rough surface of broccoli stems from dirt, Ms. Nair said.
