We adore all citrus fruits but poorly understand their mysteries. It turns out we incorrectly peel, eat them, and even improperly put a lemon slice in tea. All of this can be detrimental to our health.
All modern fruits, grown on an industrial scale and sold in stores and markets, go through the mills of agricultural chemistry and food industry technologies.
Thiabendazole – the mysterious stranger
Citrus fruits are no exception. Even after harvesting, they are treated with fungicides – antifungal agents. They prevent rotting processes, and thanks to them, the fruits last longer and do not get moldy.
Thiabendazole is most commonly used. It is also designated as food additive E233. In Russia, it is not permitted, but it is not forbidden either. Therefore, we do not use it ourselves, but it is present in imported goods, including citrus fruits and bananas. Information about it is sometimes provided on citrus crates, but you will never find it on nets, bags, and other packaging in which the fruits are sold directly to us.
In addition, this substance is a pesticide. And it is used as such in agriculture, treating planting material and even harvested crops. For this, cereals, potatoes, and some vegetables are fumigated with gas containing thiabendazole. Therefore, like all pesticides, this substance is also present in soil and water.
Safety precautions when using oranges, tangerines, and lemons
So, we obtain it from various sources. But it is still contained in citrus fruits in higher concentration. Especially in the peel, as it is specifically treated. However, research has shown that 5-12% of thiabendazole penetrates into the pulp of fruits, and 7-14% ends up on our hands.
“Fortunately, thiabendazole washes off quite well,” says aif.ru doctor of medical sciences, therapist and gastroenterologist Konstantin Spakhov. “So, before peeling citrus fruits, you must definitely wash them, preferably in warm water, and even better with detergent. Since residual amounts of the chemical can transfer to your hands, they need to be washed, and then – before you eat an orange, tangerine, or any other citrus fruit. You should also do the same after peeling bananas, washing them, due to their soft consistency.”
With lemons, it’s a different story. Many simply cut them into segments, which they put in tea, coffee, or other beverages directly with the peel. This is not correct, the peel also needs to be removed, not rinsed in hot drinks – this way, thiabendazole washes off it better. Naturally, it is not very wise to make candied fruits from citrus peels. Of course, if you make them and eat them, you won’t die. This substance does not have acute toxicity in such doses, but it is harmful with regular and very prolonged intake into the body.
It has endocrine-disrupting properties. This is what substances that interfere with the function of hormones, primarily sexual ones, are called. And this is inherent in almost all pesticides. Such action is dangerous primarily for a developing organism when sexual organs are being formed or rebuilt – that is, in this regard, women need to be more cautious during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and their children – during adolescence.”
Thiabendazole can also be harmful to the liver, thyroid, and kidneys. But of all the pesticides, it is not the most dangerous. Its harm manifests with prolonged intake into the body.