With summer on the horizon that means more fresh produce can become a staple in many of your homes! While these refreshing treats are always a joy, let’s be aware of the types of produce we consume. Certain crops are more prone to absorbing higher levels of pesticides. Many of these pesticides incorporate harmful chemicals that have been associated with cancer and reproductive damage. So dangerous are these pesticides that most are banned in Europe. The EWG has released an updated list of which fruits and vegetables are the most impacted by these toxins. This list is known as the dirty dozen. The list begins with the produce with the highest level of pesticides adsorption.
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard, & mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell and hot peppers
10.)Cherries
11.)Blueberries
12.)Green beans
Don’t panic when you see so many of your favorite summer sweets are now heavy with chemicals. Organic might be the way you want to go especially if you really want to cut down on the exposure to the dangerous pesticides.
But what if you can’t afford to buy everything organic? Here are some ways to save your health and wallet.
If you can afford some organic produce, choose to only purchase items that were on the dirty dozen list. An avocado is far less likely to absorb the same concentration of pesticides that a strawberry will.
Buy from a farmer’s market or local farm.
Purchase organic produce in bulk during the summer and can some of it for the winter.
If none of these options are plausible, then be sure to wash and soak your produce in Miracle II Soap
Luckily there are some produce items that do not absorb these pesky pesticides to a harmful degree. The clean fifteen indicate the produce with the lowest levels of pesticide residue.
Clean Fifteen
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Mangoes
Mushrooms
Watermelon
Cabbage
Kiwi
Honeydew melon
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Papaya
Onions
Pineapple
Sweet corn
Avocados
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