Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a list of 12 fruits and/or vegetables that are the dirtiest when it comes to pesticide residue on them. This is important to know because if you are unable to buy all of your fruits or veggies organic then you will want to make sure to buy at LEAST these 12 fruits or vegetables organic. EWG bases this list off of annual reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program.
When the EWG makes their dirty dozen list they are looking at the following things:
- the percentage of samples that come back positive with pesticides
- the percentage of that item that come back with 2+ pesticides on them
- the average number of pesticides found in a single sample
- the average number of pesticides found in parts per million
- maximum number of pesticides found in a single sample
- the total number of pesticides found on that particular crop
The Dirty Dozen is as follows:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Celery
- Potatoes
The EWG article states, “the USDA found 225 different pesticides and pesticide breakdown products on popular fruits and vegetables Americans eat every day. Before testing, all produce was washed and peeled, just as people would prepare food for themselves, which shows that simple washing does not remove all pesticides.” Yikes…there is 225 different pesticides just in this breakdown? That is a lot! I also found at one point they were talking about the kale findings and how one sample had EIGHTEEN different pesticides found on it. LIKE WHAT!?!
On a more positive note, they also do a “Clean” 15 list This list consists of the items that came out with the least amount of pesticides on them. Check it out!
The Clean Fifteen:
- Avocados
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Sweet Peas
- Onions
- Papaya
- Eggplant
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Honeydew Melon
It’s important to remember that even though these pesticides are on our fruits and vegetables that we still need to eat a high number of these whole foods everyday! It is also important to remember this list is just looking at the pesticides and does not account for the genetically modified (GMO) fruits & vegetables. While most GMO’s are going to be found in processed foods, some of these produce items are unfortunately genetically modified.
How Do We Protect Ourselves From Pesticides?
A couple ways we can protect ourselves from pesticides is by:
- Eat organic produce. Studies found in the urine of those families that participated that just by switching from a conventional diet to an organic diet that the amount of pesticides found in their urine decreased by about 60%! That is huge!
- Take Biome Medic. This supplement landed in my lap when I needed it most. Since then I have come to learn more about it and just how important this is for people. It is the only product of its kind and was developed just for the purpose of reducing pesticide effects on our gut. It reduces the damage that pesticides can do to our body by helping flush them out and help the gut lining heal. In clinical studies, it was found to reduce glyphosate (the most talked about pesticide in the media) by 74% in just 6 weeks! It was also shown to reduce your c-reactive protein (inflammation marker) by 75% in 6 weeks! So amazing! You can purchase Biome Medic here.
The point is not to make you feel overwhelmed when you go shopping, but to help keep you informed on the issues at hand. As I like to always say, if we know better, we do better!
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XOXO, Brooke
*Disclaimer: Always consult with a professional medical practitioner before taking any dietary supplements or recommendations listed, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications or under a doctor’s medical care.
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