blake
If you enjoy strawberries, keep reading.
Many types of produce on the market today include pesticides, although it’s better to buy organic if possible to avoid non-organic fruits from the “dirty dozen.”
The dirty dozen is a list of fruits and vegetables that have the most pesticide residue. Spinach, apples, cherries, kale, peaches, grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes are categorized as having a high degree of pesticides.
A single strawberry may contain up to 23 different pesticides, according to new research from the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG).
The EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list, which is released each year to help consumers choose healthier options, was founded on the idea that people should be able to make informed decisions about their health. We spoke with Sydney Swanson, a healthy living science analyst at the EWG, for some perspective on how much pesticides are in our veggies and how they may be affecting our health.
Pesticides have been connected to a wide range of health problems, including hormone disruption, cancer, and brain and nervous system toxicity. “A recent Harvard University research revealed that eating food high in pesticide residues might negate the protective effects of consuming fruits and vegetables such as protection against heart disease and mortality. ”Â
Pesticide laws, according to Swanson, are not strict enough to protect customers.
“Two or more pesticides acting together may be more toxic than a single pesticide alone,” Swanson adds. “This is worrisome, as one strawberry may contain up to 23 distinct chemicals.”
If you want to avoid pesticides in your veggies, the EWG advises opting for the “clean 15” —foods that had low levels of pesticides.
“Consumers who wish to avoid pesticide exposure should opt for conventional versions of the fruits and vegetables on the clean 15 list and organic varieties of the produce on the dirty 12 list, when feasible,” Swanson adds. “It’s critical that consumers eat adequate fruits and vegetables, and using these useful references, they can make sure they get enough while also reducing their pesticide burden.”
