By Underground Health Reporter

Organic foods are, on average, 20% more expensive than standard fruits and veggies. Is it really worth paying that extra buck fifty for a “certified organic” label?  Consider that organic produce is 25% more nutritious and you have a surplus 5% saying, “Yes! Go organic all the way!”

Dangerous pesticides and GMOs lurk in non-organic fare, whereas organic fruits and veggies are pesticide and GMO free. And don’t fool yourself into thinking you can wash or peel off the pesticides. While a thorough scrub will remove some of the pesticides, it won’t get them all, especially not pesticides that the fruit or vegetable was exposed to while growing. These pesticides can remain in our bodies for years.

Case in point: DDT, a poisonous pesticide banned in the 1970s is still cropping up and causing health problems!

While the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that pesticides at low levels aren’t harmful, it’s safe to say that the long-term effects of pesticide use are probably not being taken into consideration.

The “P” in Pesticide Stands for “Poison”

Pesticides are poisons designed to kill, and you better believe that insects aren’t the only organisms susceptible to these toxins. Pesticides have been linked to health risks such as…

  • pesticide poison 2Cancer
  • Hormone system disruption
  • Neurological problems
  • Toxicity
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Heart disease
  • Dementia
  • IQ deficiencies in children
  • ADHA
  • Infertility
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

More than 400 pesticides are routinely used on non-organic produce in the United States to protect crops from bugs and extend supermarket shelf life. That doesn’t account for the 100-150 billion pounds of pesticides that have been banned in the U.S. but are still shipped to other countries to use on produce that is then imported into America!

The “O” in Organic Stands for “Ok-to-Eat”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the use of pesticides on produce. The EPA has asserted that the benefits of eating fruits and veggies outweighs the dangers of pesticides, but that organic should be purchased whenever possible.

According to the Soil Association, organic products deliver higher levels of beta-carotene, vitamins C, D and E, polyphenols and disease-thwarting antioxidants. Studies have shown that eating an organic diet lowers the occurrence of:

  • Autism
  • Learning disabilities
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Migraines
  • And hyperactivity

Organic foods contain no pesticides, no GMOs, no additives or flavor enhancers such as MSG, no artificial sweeteners like aspartame and HFCS, no preservatives and certainly no toxins.

The Dirty Dozen

The Environmental Working Group has created a list called the “Dirty Dozen” that calls out the top 12 (now 14) most offensive (highest concentrations of pesticides) produce. For instance, 98% of apples contain high levels of at least one pesticide, as does more than 95% of celery.

Only buy organic produce, in-season, locally grown:

  • 2013EWGPesticideGuidesmlApples
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Grapes
  • Kale, Collard Greens
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Nectarines (imported)
  • Hot Peppers
  • Peaches
  • Potatoes
  • Strawberries
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Spinach
  • Summer Squash

The Clean Fifteen

The Environmental Working Group hasn’t left us hanging. They’ve also put together a list of the “Clean Fifteen”—the fruits and veggies that are the least tainted with pesticides. If you’re going to skimp on organic foods, then cut corners with the following:

  • Asparagus
  • Cabbage
  • Kiwi
  • Onions
  • Sweet Corn
  • Avocado
  • Eggplant
  • Mangoes
  • Papaya
  • Sweet peas
  • Cantaloupe (domestic)
  • Grapefruit
  • Mushrooms
  • Pineapples
  • Sweet Potato

Whether you opt for the organic Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen, blending them together in a nutritious green smoothie ensures optimal absorption of key nutrients. For more information on the health benefits of green smoothies made with organic produce, as well as unique smoothie recipes for a vast array of health conditions, refer to The Simple Green Smoothie Solution. This comprehensive green smoothie guide will jumpstart the single most important habit you can have for optimal health.

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