Is it true that eating too many strawberries causes vomiting and poisoning, and that they should not be eaten?

Strawberries belong to the berry family of fruits, and this family is very large. Examples such as the strawberry, the brambleberry, the raspberry, the cranberry, the red berry, the blueberry, the purple berry and so on are all brothers and sisters of the strawberry, and they are all very tempting in taste. Take the relatively good-quality-and-cheap strawberry, for instance: it is a fruit that people eat often.

Strawberries contain abundant bioactive substances and have a relatively strong antioxidant capacity. Research has shown that the antioxidant capacity of strawberries is 2 to 11 times that of fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, citrus, kiwifruit, peaches and tomatoes.

Strawberries have so many benefits, yet news reports about eating strawberries causing vomiting and other physical discomfort also appear frequently in major news media. Why does eating strawberries cause vomiting? Is this poisoning? Can strawberries still be eaten? How should strawberries be eaten? Recently, the questions my friends around me have asked most are exactly these. If you have similar doubts, let us talk about it.

1. Improper washing of strawberries can easily leave pesticide residues:

The surface of the strawberry fruit is rough, and its skin is very thin, so it easily breaks when washed. Moreover, strawberries are herbaceous plants with relatively short plants, and the fruit is tender and juicy, making it susceptible to attack by pests, diseases and microorganisms.

During the cultivation of strawberries, some fertilizers and pesticides are sometimes used, and these fertilizers and pesticides also easily adhere to the rough surface of strawberries. If they are not cleaned thoroughly, they may very likely cause diarrhea or even pesticide poisoning. Strawberries must be washed before eating. It is best to first rinse them continuously with tap water; running water can prevent pesticides from penetrating into the fruit.

2. Do not be greedy with strawberries:

Strawberries are cool in nature, so it is not suitable to eat too many at one time, especially in spring when it is warm one moment and cold the next. Otherwise the stomach and intestines will feel uncomfortable because of excessive cold. It is generally recommended to eat no more than 10 to 20 berries each time, and children should reduce the amount.

3. The "three don'ts" principle for choosing strawberries:

Do not pick misshapen ones: some strawberries are bright in color and large in size, with misshapen bumps on the surface, and after biting them open there is a hollow center. The reasons for the formation of this kind of misshapen berry are very complex, and the taste is not good.

Do not pick the large ones: choose strawberries of moderate size; such strawberries usually will not be "hollow" and are also rich in water.

Do not pick the particularly red ones: overripe strawberries have partially blackened exteriors, and it is hard to guarantee their freshness. It is best to choose strawberries that are about 80 percent ripe, red but not soft; such strawberries taste the best.

In short, it is best to choose fruit that is well-proportioned in shape, naturally red in color, and still has a small ring of pale white at the base where the leaves are. Such strawberries are fresh and keep well, and can generally be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.