Check out this handy website (and the corresponding iPhone app) from the Environmental Working Group to guide you through when to insist on organic, and when you can just buy the regular stuff (but you should still wash properly). Following this guide can reduce your pesticide intake by up to 80%! Pretty serious numbers.
The EWG tests fruits and veg for the presence of pesticides, and in some cases there were as many as 67 different pesticides per piece of produce. Considering that pesticides have been linked from everything from ADHD to cancer, it is something that should rank up there on stuff you should be aware of.
Pesticides are toxic to humans because they build up and effect our nervous system over time. This is important to me as your chiropractor, because this is an example of a chemical stressor that leads to a diminished nerve output and nervous system health over time.
The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15:
Celery was one of the worst offenders, with 95% of all samples testing positive for pesticides, with 85% of them testing positive for multiple pesticides, in some cases as many as 67!
So, in addition to whether you buy organic or not, the other super important thing is washing your produce in a proper fruit and veg wash. Farmers are smart enough to realize that pesticides that wash off in the rain won't do much. Same goes for a wash with water in the sink. In addition to produce wash, I would also recommend a salad spinner. Wash your lettuce leaves in the wash, spin 'em up in the spinner, and they are great to last with damp paper towel in your produce drawer for about 4 days.
Be Healthy.
Dr. Stephanie.
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