Pesticides favor some fruits and vegetables
February 2020 – Pesticides are toxins that acidify the serum pH, increasing the risk of chronic acidosis, which has been shown to cause bone loss. People who experience heavy doses of pesticide in accidents or even continual low doses can suffer from abdominal cramps, anxiety, cancer, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, Parkinson’s disease, skin problems or weak breathing. Studies of children exposed to pesticides point to higher risk of neurological damage like ADHD, autism and lower IQ. Other animals exposed to high doses of pesticides suffer from neurologic, skin and eye problems and from disrupted hormone and endocrine levels.
Most fruits and vegetables have been sprayed with pesticides but the following tend to contain lower doses of the toxins: avocados, asparagus, broccoli, cabbages, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, frozen sweet peas, grapefruit, honeydew melons, kiwi, mangos, mushrooms, onions, papayas, pineapple, sweet corn and sweet potatos.
Dirtier fruits and vegetables (those which contain higher levels of pesticides) are
apples, celery, cucumbers, cherries, cherry tomatos, grapes, hot peppers, kale, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatos, spinach, snap peas, strawberries, sweet bell peppers and tomatos. Even their organic versions can contain pesticides, probably from the soil or in transit, but the levels are lower.
Washing produce thoroughly is essential for maintaining your health. It helps to avoid pesticides and to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria and other microbes. A thorough rinse in cold water is an effective way of removing many types of pesticides; for berries, it’s the best option.
But for veggies and smooth-skinned fruits like apples or cherries, a more effective way is to fill a large bowl with water, add one teaspoon of baking soda, and submerge the produce for a minute or two. For leafy greens, rinse and dry in a spinner or pat dry; for other vegetables, scrub with a brush before rinsing.
Mushrooms, too delicate for this method, should either be gently wiped with a damp towel or scrubbed with a mushroom brush before a quick rinse and blot dry.
- Drs, Neal Barnard, Thomas Campbell and nutritional scientist Vivian Goldschmidt
How do you wash your produce?