inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!

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

strawberries, the delicious red summer staple, aren't really berries at all — and their rough skin can harbour viruses from fecal contamination.

by chris arnold
published jun 24, 2022
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
healthy eating: whatever you do, wash your strawberries before you eat them
always wash your strawberries. (getty)
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. the bright red rounded delight coming out of the greenery at the start of summer can be made into almost any meal of the day, from breakfast to late night dessert, but there is some risk from consumin a soft, delicate fruit that is grown right next to the ground.

where do strawberries come from?

strawberries can grow almost anywhere, provided they receive enough sunlight. in canada, the fruit is grown from coast to coast. 
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. 

related stories

what do peaches have to do with ibs?
peaches are full of vitamins, fibre and antioxidants but their high fructose content may irritate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
peaches are a moderate source of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, according to the cleveland clinic. getty

what you need to know about hepatitis a and the strawberry recall
the majority of healthy adults should recover with no long-term effects, however, the virus is highly contagious.
symptoms of hepatitis a include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). getty
story continues below
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. 
powered by
canadian society for exercise physiology
story continues below
“more than 90 per cent of samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines and grapes tested positive for residues of two or more pesticides,” ewg’s website reads. 
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.
story continues below
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter
thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts. 

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline 
doctor holding red heart. selective focus, man's hands in close-up. concept of good health, cardiovascular diseases prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, human organ donation, implantation
gut health and heart disease: study shows bacteria impacts cholesterol and cardiovascular health
woman choosing frozen food from a supermarket freezer
listeria 101: breaking down causes, spotting symptoms and preventing listeriosis
senior couple shopping vegetables and fruits on the market. healthy diet.
healthy eating and older adults: solutions to common challenges
you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline 
doctor holding red heart. selective focus, man's hands in close-up. concept of good health, cardiovascular diseases prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, human organ donation, implantation
gut health and heart disease: study shows bacteria impacts cholesterol and cardiovascular health
woman choosing frozen food from a supermarket freezer
listeria 101: breaking down causes, spotting symptoms and preventing listeriosis
you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline