Had any yummy pesticides lately? Don’t you imagine future generations might someday look back on our civilization and wonder why we sprayed poison on our food and then ate it?
Demand for organic, pesticide-free food is increasing rapidly – and for good reason! Pesticides are designed to kill living organisms and are therefore a threat to human health. The National Cancer Institute states that 30% of insecticides, 60% of herbicides and 90% of fungicides are known to cause cancer. And that’s just one negative side effect. These chemicals can also lead to damage of both the nervous and hormonal systems.
Children are even more vulnerable than adults to the dangers of agricultural toxins. After all, kids consume a higher percentage in relation to their size. According to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, children fed conventional supermarket produce had six to nine times higher levels of pesticides in their blood than those fed organic foods.
Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, chemical toxins and genetically modified organisms. They’re not only safer, but they’re also more nutritious because of higher vitamin and mineral concentrations. That means you get more for your money. And, (this is the part you and your family will especially appreciate), organic fruits and vegetables usually taste better than commercially grown varieties.
Some commercially raised fruits and vegetables have been found by the Environmental Working Group to contain particularly high levels of chemical residues. So, at the very least, do your best to buy pesticide-free apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, peaches and strawberries, as well as bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, green beans and spinach.
It makes both good health and good financial sense to buy organic, pesticide-free whenever possible. This not only includes produce, but also meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. All animal foods are best raised free-ranging, organically fed and free from hormones.
Because of consumer demand, many supermarkets now carry a few organic foods. You can also often find pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, and sometimes even organically raised meat, poultry or dairy, at good prices from local farmers or through community food co-ops. Ask around. And, if you can’t find a co-op, consider starting one.
Who knows, in years to come, future generations may look back at those who choose poison-free food and say, “Well, there were at least SOME smart people back then!”
Moss Greene is the Nutrition Editor for BellaOnline.com and an authority on essential fatty acids, such as fish oil. Over the past 30 years, shes helped thousands of people to look better, think smarter and feel great naturally. Visit Moss at nutrition.bellaonline.com to learn more and subscribe to her free health and fitness newsletter.
