Who doesn’t love a fresh fruit bowl or a Mesclun summer salad sprinkled with Parmesan and lemon? In the heat of the season, these choices seem to be exactly what we are craving. Although it is recommended that we eat at least two to three daily servings of fruits and vegetables, new annual reports reveal that sometimes the foods we think are healthy may pose potential dangers to our health.
Health conscious consumers must be aware of the pesticides on fruits and vegetables that they purchase from the supermarket. The nonprofit advocacy organization Environmental Working Group released new findings in their recent Shopping Guide, which revealed that 68 percent of the food they tested had detectable pesticide residues, even when thoroughly washed. Out of the 45 most popular foods tested over this 10-year period, apples, celery and bell peppers were among the highest to contain the chemicals. During this testing process, researchers kept in mind the total pesticide load of the food as a whole.
The detectable pesticides are possible carcinogens and although they may not affect everyone, they have been associated with learning delays in young children. Infants are especially susceptible to chemicals that these foods contain.
The risks of pesticides are something that we should keep in mind, but it should not altogether deter you from consuming fruits and vegetables. The health benefits do outweigh the dangers, so simply look for organic, locally grown alternatives.
– The Alternative Daily
