Do hollow strawberries contain hormones? Are "big" strawberries sprayed with pesticides? Can we still eat strawberries safely?

Review expert: Wang Kang, Director of the Science Museum of the National Botanical Garden, Senior Engineer

Whenever strawberries are on the market, there are always strawberries of various shapes and sizes on the market. Some strawberries are hollow inside when you take a bite, while others are so big that you can feel full with just one bite.

At this time, all kinds of rumors about strawberries will follow: Are hollow strawberries injected with hormones? Are "large" strawberries "fed with drugs?" Faced with these, we can't help but wonder: Can strawberries still be eaten?

Do hollow strawberries contain hormones?

Hollow strawberries, this seemingly mysterious phenomenon, is actually not mysterious. First of all, we must understand that whether a strawberry is hollow or not is related to its variety, growing environment, growth rate, etc.

Different varieties

Some strawberry varieties are naturally prone to hollowing, for example, Xiangye (also known as Suizhu), Sweet Charlie, Pink Jade and other varieties. The flesh density of these varieties is relatively small, so it is more likely to form hollows during the growth process. Moreover, when the fruit grows larger, it is also prone to hollowing. This is their natural characteristic and has nothing to do with hormones or pesticides.

Growth environment

The growth of strawberries has certain temperature requirements. When the temperature is too high, the expansion speed of strawberry fruits will accelerate, but if the nutrients are not accumulated enough at this time, it is easy to cause hollowness. However, when the temperature is too low, it will also affect the normal development of the fruit and cause the strawberry to be hollow. In addition, strawberries also need sufficient water to support the growth of the fruit. If the water supply is insufficient, the fruit will become dry and it is easy to have holes inside.

Needless to say, the importance of light is an important condition for strawberry photosynthesis. If the light is insufficient, it will affect the accumulation of photosynthetic products, and then affect the nutrient supply of the fruit. In the long run, it may lead to insufficient nutrients inside the fruit and form hollow fruit.

Were the “big” strawberries sprayed with pesticides?

If you go to the market to buy strawberries, you will most likely see strawberries of different sizes. There will be rumors that this is caused by "growth enhancers". Is this true?

Why are strawberries so big?

In fact, the size of strawberries is related to many factors, such as variety and cultivation technology. Some varieties of strawberries are naturally large, such as the Zhangji strawberries we often eat, which are mainly excellent varieties bred through hybridization. In addition, the first batch of strawberries picked will often be larger than the ones after that. From the first crop to the sixth or seventh crop, the size of the fruit will become smaller and smaller. The number of fruits left on a plant will also affect the size of the fruit.

The enlargement agent is self-limiting

"Enlargement agents" (scientific name chlorpyrifos) are allowed to be used in moderate amounts in agricultural production. They are state-approved plant growth regulators and are actually harmless to the human body. The only thing they may affect is the flavor of the strawberries. For example, they may make the strawberries taste sour, bland, or hollow. Generally speaking, strawberries with a strong aroma and moderate taste usually do not have growth agents added.

However, regarding growth enhancers, the public is more concerned about whether they will have an impact on human health. In fact, the use of growth enhancers does not cause direct harm to human health. Generally speaking, the amount of growth enhancers used is very small, and they degrade very quickly. Generally, 60% of them will be degraded 24 hours after being sprayed on the plants. And because growth enhancers are self-limiting, a small amount of use is beneficial to the growth of the fruit, but excessive use will cause the strawberries to not grow. There is currently no clear research showing that low doses of growth enhancers will affect children's height or cause other serious health problems.

How to eat strawberries more safely?

1. Observe the quality of strawberries: When buying strawberries, you should carefully observe their quality. High-quality strawberries are usually bright in color, plump in fruit, and delicious in taste.

2. Wash the strawberries thoroughly: Before eating strawberries, you can first rinse off the dirt and impurities on the surface with clean water, and then soak them in light salt water for a few minutes. This can effectively remove pesticide residues and bacteria on the surface of the strawberries.

3. Control the amount of consumption: Although strawberries are rich in nutrients, they should not be consumed in excess. Excessive consumption of strawberries will increase the burden on the intestines, causing indigestion, diarrhea and other discomfort symptoms. Especially for diabetics or those with allergies, strawberries should be consumed with caution.