When looking for produce at the store, you probably take great care in your selection, avoiding any visible damage, contamination, mold, etc… While it is easy to choose based on what you can see, it is important not to overlook the contamination you can’t see. Pesticides are an invisible toxin found on all kinds of different produce that we purchase at the store. Used to deter weeds, insects, and diseases on fruits and vegetables, pesticides are highly toxic to the body and can cause a range of health problems. The results of pesticide exposure can include effects such as nausea, sweating, respiratory issues, disorientation, severe depression, and insomnia if consumed over a long period. Chronic symptoms can occur months to years after exposure and can even range to certain cancers, reproductive harm, and disruption of the endocrine system.
Pesticide contamination on produce is not an anomaly; More than 90 percent of samples of strawberries, apples, cherries, spinach, nectarines, and leafy greens tested positive for residues of two or more pesticides. At the end of the day, you want the cleanest ingredients you can get. After all that deliberating and taking the time to carefully select your fruits and vegetables, why settle for produce that may be contaminated with pesticides?
While any pesticide use is harmful to the environment, as well as the body’s internal ecosystem, there are a few fruits and vegetables that have made it onto the “dirty dozen.” The dirty dozen ranks fruits and vegetables essentially from “worst” to “most okay” in terms of pesticide contamination, number 1 containing the highest amount of pesticides.
The dirty dozen list :
To ensure that what you are putting into your body is non-toxic and pesticide-free, organic fruits and vegetables are the way to go! When possible, shop for certified organic fruits and vegetables, including consumer products made with organic ingredients.
Even when juicing, it’s still important to keep the “dirty dozen” in mind. Pesticides on fruits and vegetables used in juicing cannot be completely washed off, and still allow toxins to enter the final product.
Juicing acts as a restart for the body and mind, so it should be treated as such by using whole, organic ingredients! The renovation and revitalization of the gut requires a strong foundation; your body deserves the cleanest fruits and vegetables to fuel your health. Check out a few of the juices containing organic options to the fruits and vegetables listed above!
Shop Garden of Flavor at a Whole Foods near you!
