Make sure to do this before peeling the banana: It turns out we were wrong all along.

People often overlook a crucial detail when eating bananas, one of the country's most beloved fruits. This step often seems unnecessary, as we're planning to throw the banana peel away anyway. But health experts have explained why this process is essential.

Every year, millions of people mindlessly grab bananas from fruit bowls and eat them. However, dirt, bacteria, pesticide residue, and other contaminants accumulate on the banana's outer surface, which can enter your body through your hands and mouth, even if you try to peel the banana and eat it.

IT'S CORRECT TO LOGIC, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!

"You should always wash shelled produce with clean running water, even if you plan to throw it away," says Tamika Sims, Senior Director of Food Technology Communications at the International Food Information Council, calling this a "best practice" in food hygiene. "Even if it seems counterintuitive, you should wash it first," Sims emphasizes.

It causes poisoning

Consuming unwashed fruits and vegetables can lead to serious food poisoning due to bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. Furthermore, pesticide and other chemical residues can have negative health effects over time.

Here are the individuals who are susceptible to these infectious diseases:

Children under 5 years old

Individuals over 65 years of age

Pregnant women

People with weak immune systems

According to a similarly published news report, it was reported that bananas are often coated with pesticides after harvest and that long-term exposure to these substances can increase the risk of conditions such as autism, cancer, hypertension, diabetes and dementia.

CORRECT WASHING TECHNIQUE FOR BANANAS

To clean your banana, you can follow these steps:

Hold it under running tap water for about 30 seconds.

Gently rub away any visible dirt with your hands.

Avoid using soap and detergent, as these can leave residue on the fruit.

Alternatively, you can spray a diluted mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water with a spray bottle. This is an ideal mixture for killing bacteria. After washing, dry with a clean kitchen towel.