Organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides

Organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides

Eating fresh, organic foods is key to overall health.

A new study from Boise State University is one of the first to predict how much pesticides a person consumes, according to their diets.

The study led by Cynthia Curl, an associate professor at Boise State, shows that organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides.

Curl and her research team looked at pesticide exposure of 4,500 people from 6 different U.S. cities. They focused on organophosphates (OPs), the most common insecticide used on U.S. produce.

OP pesticides have already been associated with detrimental effects to agricultural workers.

The research team had the participants eat similar amounts of fruits and vegetables. They found that organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides. There was a significant difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods.

For most Americans, diet is the primary source of OP pesticide exposure,” explained Curl. “The study suggests that by eating organically grown versions of those foods highest in pesticide residues, we can make a measurable difference in the levels of pesticides in our bodies.”

The research team was able to predict the average amount of pesticide exposure by combining the foods that the participants usually ate, and the USDA measurements of pesticides in these foods.

Curl’s research is significant, because by comparing self-reported dietary information and USDA measurements, researchers will be able to study the links between pesticide exposure and health issues.

If we can predict pesticide exposure using dietary questionnaire data, then we may be able to understand the potential health effects of dietary exposure to pesticides without having to collect biological samples from people,” Curl said. “That will allow research on organic food to be both less expensive and less invasive.”

The next step is to use these exposure predictions to examine the relationship between dietary exposure to pesticides and health outcomes, including neurological and cognitive endpoints. We’ll be able to do that in this same population of nearly 4,500 people,” she said.

Curl recommends using the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen List when making the decision on which foods to eat organic.

This study showing that organic foods reduce exposure to pesticides was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.

DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.

For top 10 foods you must eat organic.
For the truth behind 8 foods to avoid at the supermarket.
For the top 10 cancer-fighting foods.
Common pesticide increases ADHD risk.
Organic food has more nutrition and less pesticides.

REFERENCES:
1. “Study Helps Predict Pesticide Exposure in Diet.” Boise State University. Boise State University, 05 Feb. 2015. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.
2. “Estimating Pesticide Exposure from Dietary Intake and Organic Food Choices: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).” Environmental Health Perspectives. Environmental Health Perspectives, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.
3. “EWG’s 2014 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™.” Environmental Working Group. Environmental Working Group, n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2015.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Yes, I would like to receive emails from StepIn2MyGreenWorld. Sign me up!


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact