Banana lovers were told a non-obvious rule for consuming them

Products with peels should be washed just like any other foods, explained food technology specialist Tamika Sims. She shared this non-obvious rule with banana lovers in a conversation with Mirror.

According to the technologist, products with peels should be washed with clean running water, even if the peel is not intended to be eaten. She added that this hygienic habit is the best way to safely handle food products, allowing to minimize the transfer of dirt and microbes that may be on the peel onto the fruit. "Even if it seems illogical, bananas should be washed first," Sims added.

Washing, she continued, is necessary to remove dirt, bacteria, and potential pesticides from the surface, which prevents them from getting on your hands and, consequently, into your mouth. Consuming unwashed fruits, Sims clarified, can lead to food poisoning caused by harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. Additionally, unwashed fruits and vegetables may also contain dirt, debris, and even insects, while exposure to pesticides is associated with a number of adverse health effects and may increase the risk of conditions such as autism, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and dementia.