Eat Fewer Pesticides
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer is here and its a perfect time to hit your local farmer’s market for fresh and organic produce. Eating organic fruits and veggies is great for your body but can sometimes be more costly than purchasing conventionally grown produce. The trouble is, conventional produce can carry pesticides which if not washed from food, are absorbed into the body. Studies show that pesticides can cause health problems, such as birth defects, nerve damage, cancer, and other effects that might occur over a long period of time. The best way to avoid pesticide residue on foods is to buy organic produce -- USDA rules prohibit the use of pesticides on any crop with the certified organic label.
To protect yourself and your family, buy organic produce when you can and always wash your food. To remove pesticides, as well as for general health, it is a good idea to wash food with clean water before it is cooked or eaten. Additionally, peeling produce can also help reduce the levels of pesticides that may be on the surface.
Another option is to avoid produce with high levels of pesticides. Every year, the Environmental Working Group releases a list of the top 12 fruits and veggies that are most likely to have high levels of pesticides. Called “the dirty dozen,” here is the 2011 list of conventional produce with the highest potential for pesticides:
- Apples
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Nectarines
- Grapes
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Potatoes
- Blueberries
- Lettuce
- Kale/ Collar Greens
The doctors of Portland Chiropractic Neurology are trained nutrition specialists and offer natural ways for patients to live healthier lives. If you would like to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, please call 207-699-5600.
