Are the hollow strawberries the result of hormone injections?

According to Jiang Zhuojun, a strawberry expert at Qingdao Agricultural University, there are many reasons for the hollow strawberry phenomenon. First, it may be the characteristics of the variety. For example, a kind of strawberry called "Sweet Charlie" has a slightly smaller flesh density and is more likely to become hollow. Secondly, it may be due to technical management reasons. Strawberries are very sensitive to soil moisture, humidity, temperature, etc. during their growth period. If they cannot get enough water during their rapid growth stage, hollowness will appear. The third possibility is the administration of growth hormone, but it may also be caused by over-maturation. Therefore, it is inappropriate to judge whether it is a "hormone strawberry" based on its hollowness.

How to identify: Look, touch and taste

If you carefully distinguish between strawberries grown with growth enhancers and those grown normally, there are still differences. The identification method is as follows:

At first glance: the strawberries grown with growth enhancers are super large, with irregular bumps on the outside and distinct green and red colors; normal strawberries are the size of quail eggs or pigeon eggs, and some individual strawberries on a single branch are larger, with bright red and shiny color, uniform color, and shaped like the center of a circle.

Second touch: The green part of the strawberry with swelling agent feels very hard, while the red skin feels soft and can be easily broken apart; normal strawberries are not easy to break apart because the flesh is tightly connected and they contain more water. Normal strawberries feel elastic and have the right hardness and softness.

Third taste: Strawberries grown with growth enhancers taste bland, while strawberries grown naturally are sweet and sour with a full natural flavor.

The harm of hormone-fed strawberries

In order to make huge profits, some fruit farmers repeatedly use growth enhancers during the planting process. The main ingredients of the growth enhancer are to stimulate cell division, which increases production by promoting cell division and volume increase in the fruit, making some strawberries large in size, with good color, and even some with strange shapes. Growth enhancers belong to the category of pesticides. Excessive use will affect the quality of fruits. Once consumers consume strawberries with excessive amounts of growth enhancer residues, it will cause great damage to their health. Especially patients with kidney disease should avoid excessive consumption. Pregnant women and children should also avoid eating deformed berries.

How to wash strawberries:

First, rinse the strawberries with running tap water for a few minutes to remove most of the germs, pesticides and other contaminants on the surface of the strawberries. Note: Do not soak in water first, so as to prevent the pesticide from dissolving in the water and then being absorbed by the strawberry and seeping into the fruit.

Soak the strawberries in rice water (it is best to use the first rice water) and light salt water (add half a spoonful of salt to a basin of water) for 3 minutes. They have different functions. The alkaline rice water can decompose pesticides; the light salt water can make the insects and eggs attached to the surface of the strawberries float up, making them easier to be washed away by water, and it also has a certain disinfecting effect.

Then use running tap water to rinse away the rice washing water, salt water and any harmful substances that may remain. Just rinse with clean water (or cold boiled water).

Another reminder is: do not remove the strawberry stems before washing them, so as to prevent pesticides and pollutants from penetrating into the fruit through the "wounds" during the soaking process, causing contamination.

Strawberries have 6 great benefits!

Strawberries are rich in nutrients and contain a variety of effective ingredients. Every 100 grams of fresh fruit pulp contains 60 mg of vitamin C, which is higher than that in apples and grapes. The pulp contains a large amount of nutrients such as sugars, proteins, organic acids, pectin, etc.

In addition, strawberries are rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, PP, as well as essential minerals and some trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, and chromium. Its vitamin C content is 3 times higher than that of citrus fruits and more than 10 times higher than that of apples and grapes. Japan calls strawberries "living vitamin pills." Its content of malic acid, citric acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, as well as carotene, calcium, phosphorus and iron is 3 to 4 times higher than that of apples, pears and grapes. Strawberry is an important source of essential ingredients for the human body, such as fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin C and flavonoids. Strawberries have high nutritional value and are a high-end fruit.

Strawberry Benefits

1. Clear away heat and relieve fire

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that strawberries have the effects of removing fire, detoxifying and clearing away heat. People's liver fire is often more vigorous in spring, and eating some strawberries can have a suppressive effect.

2. Regulate the spleen and stomach

It is best to eat strawberries after meals because they contain a lot of pectin and cellulose, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, help digestion, and improve constipation. It is suitable for symptoms such as lack of appetite, abdominal distension after meals, and constipation.

3. Nourishing Yin and Blood

Strawberries contain a variety of sugars, citric acid, malic acid, and amino acids, which are easily absorbed by the human body and can replenish blood volume and maintain fluid balance.

4. Sobering up

When you feel dizzy and uncomfortable after drinking, you can eat 100 grams of fresh strawberries to help sober up.

5. Anti-cancer

The ellagic acid contained in strawberries can protect human tissues from damage by carcinogens and has a certain effect in inhibiting the growth of malignant tumor cells.

6. Whitening and moisturizing

Strawberry is a berry with a sugar content of 6%-10%. It also contains a variety of fruit acids, vitamins and minerals. It can enhance skin elasticity and has the effects of whitening, nourishing and moisturizing. In addition, strawberries are more suitable for oily skin, and have the effect of removing oil and cleansing the skin. Strawberry juice can be squeezed and used as a facial beauty product. Return to 99 Health Network Home Page>>