BY CHRISTINA PITT
HEALTH
here is a large body
of evidence linking
exposure to the
chemicals used in food
production with an elevated
risk of chronic diseases such
as different types of cancers,
diabetes, neurodegenerative
disorders like Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), birth
defects and reproductive disorders.
Conversely, eating a diet rich in organic
foods is associated with a decreased risk
of cancer. A 2018 study published in
JAMA Internal Medicine analysed the diets
of nearly 70 000 French adults and found
that those who ate organic foods were 25%
less likely to develop cancers of any kind.
Opting for organic fresh produce seems
like the logical solution to the pesticide
issue, but this isn’t always realistic – or
affordable. Wouldn’t it be great if there
VOLUME 31 LOSE IT! 27Health experts keep
telling us to eat more
veggies. But are they
still so wonderful for us
health-wise if they’re
packed with pesticides?
were a list of the worst and best fruit
and veggies (rated by their pesticide
levels) to help guide our choices?
Luckily, there is one! The ‘Dirty
Dozen’ and ‘Clean 15’ lists are published
annually by the Environmental Working
Group (EWG), an American non-profit
organisation dedicated to protecting
human health and the environment.
Besides the levels of pesticides in food,
they also look into the safety of
cosmetics, genetically modified
organisms and tap water.
Before testing, all produce
is washed and
peeled so results
are based on the
pesticide residue
left behind
after cleaning.
According to
Olga Naidenko,
EWG’s senior
science advisor,
‘some produce
samples can have
more than 50
different types of
pesticides’. Yikes.
The Dirty Dozen list ranks the 12
foods with the highest levels of pesticide
residue. Even though the EWG’s list is
not a South African-based one, it can
help guide our choices. When buying
Dirty Dozen foods you might want to
consider the organic versions to reduce
your toxin exposure.THE
DIRTY
DOZEN