healthy eating: whatever you do, wash your strawberries before you eat them

strawberries may not actually be berries (they’re aggregate fruit, according to stanford magazine ), but they’re not any less tasty for it — despite what tom brady says .

where do strawberries come from?

in the united states, california and florida produce more than 91 per cent of the nation’s strawberries. florida in particular produces the majority of the berries during the winter months. 

the united states also produces the most strawberries in the world, with 1.3 billion tons of berries grown each year, according to world atlas . turkey, spain, egypt, and mexico are each next on the list of largest producers, but none come close to even half of what the united states grows. 

strawberries contain polyphenols and have a low glycemic index

strawberries may contribute to heart health, according to a 2008 study published in the american journal of clinical nutrition . the fruit contains polyphenols, a naturally occurring organic compound that can aid in preventing type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as having potentially anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2018 study in the national library of medicine. 

the berries (er, fruits!) also have a low glycemic index, which can help regulate blood sugar, according to the bbc . a diet rich in low gi foods can help with weight management, and reduce likelihood of obesity-related diseases, a study from universität freiburg in germany suggests. 

strawberries at risk of carrying viruses that come from faecal contamination

because strawberries are so delicate, they are harvested by hand and not washed as thoroughly as other fruits, according to food source information from the colorado school of public health. often, fresh strawberries are taken directly from harvest to retail without being washed at all. this can cause some health risks because the fruit sits right next the ground, putting them at risk of bacteria, mould and viruses harboured from the soil or through faecal contamination .

the rough outer texture of the strawberry is also conducive to viruses like hepatitis a and norovirus , which may be difficult to get off the skin of strawberries even after washing them .

strawberries are also known for their potentially high exposure to pesticides, according to the environmental working group . the fruit actually topped ewg’s list of the “dirty dozen” fruits for 2022, making it the worst offender for pesticide residue. compared to fruits such as bananas and avocados, and vegetables such as broccoli or corn, strawberries contain a high volume of pesticides. 

the most common pesticide found on strawberries in the united states is dichloropropene, according to modern farmer . dichloropropene is banned in the european union. the pesticide is known to cause chest pain, breathing difficulties, and mucous membrane irritation if inhaled, according to the u.s. environmental protection agency .

are they ready to eat?

strawberries are ready to pick after they turn fully red — there should be no green left on the non-berry. usually, it’s best to leave the fruit on the plant for a day or two after they turn fully red to ensure they’ve fully ripened, according to the spruce .

ways to eat them

adding strawberries to smoothies, cereals, pancakes, or waffles is an easy way to get some vitamin c in the morning.  but adding the fruit into crumbles, pies, tarts, and — of course — shortcakes, can get similar benefits out of some classic desserts. 

shortcake in particular can be a show stopper that can be made relatively quickly and requires only basic ingredients that are staples in a pantry such as sugar, flour, baking powder, and baking soda. and of course, strawberries.