The Great Chemical Experiment: Poison Water, Food, and Air

You may find yourself wondering if you should be buying organic fruits and vegetables instead of conventional ones. The first thing is to understand the differences between organic and conventional produce – the amount of pesticides used.

Did you know that, according to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer?! A cancer epidemic is at all time high, and evidence is growing ever stronger that pesticide exposure is a key contributor to this. In February 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry published a study that found that children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are used.

Chronic health consequences may occur years after even minimal exposure to pesticides we ingest through our food and water. A July 2007 study conducted by researchers at the Public Health Institute, the California Department of Health Services, and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health found a sixfold increase in risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for children of women who were exposed to organochlorine pesticides.

Studies have found that pesticides are extremely toxic to children. There is now vital scientific evidence that the human brain is not fully formed until the age of 12, which means that exposure to pesticides can crucially impact the development of the central nervous system. While organic foods may be priced slightly higher, what price can you put on your health and the health of your family?

Why Choose Organic? Several studies have found that organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants and certain micronutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc and iron. One study discovered that organically grown berries contained 58% more antioxidants and up to 52% higher amounts of vitamin C. Organic fruits and vegetables tend to produce more antioxidants that serve as their own protective compounds, rather relying on chemical pesticide sprays to protect themselves.

I was always told apples and strawberries were some of the most ”dirty” foods to buy organic, but they’re not even in the top ten (although they are both in the top 20)! Do you know which foods have been found to have the most pesticides residue?

Click here to get my FREE list of the top 20 most pesticide-laden foods that you should buy organic when possible because these have the MOST pesticide residues - and what you can do to further protect yourself and your family from pesticides, air pollution, processed foods and other dangers prevalent in today’s world!