The 12 Most Toxic Fruits and Vegetables

Known as the Dirty Dozen, conventionally grown peaches,
apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines,
strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach,
lettuce and potatoes contain the highest levels of
pesticides, according to the Environmental Work Group
(EWG), a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C.

Up to 20 different pesticides are used in the traditional
production of the Dirty Dozen and contrary to popular
belief, simply washing or peeling your fruits and
vegetables doesn't guarantee elimination. The pesticides
used are often absorbed into the plants, which allows them
to bind to the fruits and vegetables, making it impossible
to eliminate their presence.

The chemicals within these pesticides are reported to
disrupt your immune system, nervous system, reproductive
system and hormonal system.

While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce some
pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also helps
remove some of the pesticides, but valuable nutrients often
go down the drain with the peel.

Because the toxic effects of pesticides are worrisome, not
well understood, or in some cases completely unstudied,
shoppers are wise to minimize exposure to pesticides
whenever possible.

Consumers who switch to organic versions of these foods
could cut their pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent,
according to EWG. It analyzed nearly 43,000 tests conducted
by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug
Administration between 2000 and 2004.

Kathy's Cafe: Rules for Healthy Eating suggests:
"Commercially grown fruits and vegetables are filled with
herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. It is estimated that
the average American consumes one pound of these toxic
chemicals each year. Research has linked these toxins with
breast and prostrate cancer, as well as auto-immunity and
numerous other diseases. Studies have shown the mineral
content of organic fruits & vegetables to be twice as high
as those in commercially grown."' This is compelling
information and these risks can be easily and effectively
eliminated.

If your family replaced just these 12 fruits and
vegetables, on a consistent basis, you would be
dramatically decreasing your toxic intake and significantly
increasing your health and well being.

Produce with the least amount of pesticides - and ones you
probably don't need to pay organic prices for - include
onions, avocados, frozen sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes,
asparagus, frozen sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage,
broccoli and papaya, according to the EWG study.

So whether you choose to go organic, or switch to less
contaminated produce, you can start eliminating harmful and
unhealthy pesticides for your family today for a healthier
and happier future.

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"themom", a/k/a Denise Palmer is a mom and Internet
Consultant. Moms Organic House is a combination of 13
years of Internet experience and a passion for organic
living and education. If you'd like to learn more about
how to create or sustain a practical, simple, yet effective
organic lifestyle, visit Moms Organic House at
http://www.momsorganichouse.com for more information.