For items that aren’t always peeled but can be—like apples, potatoes, and carrots—peeling likely removes some residues, but not all.
That’s because some pesticides are systemic, meaning they’re absorbed into the plant. Peeling can have a downside, too, because the skins contribute healthy fiber and other nutrients, says Amy Keating, a registered dietitian at CR, so if you like eating them, don’t get rid of them just to avoid pesticides.
