The Most Toxic Fruit in America: Apples!

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just dethroned strawberries from the top position of its infamous “Dirty Dozen” list. This means that conventionally-grown apples contain the highest load of pesticides, as compared to any other fruit or vegetable.

An apple a day won’t keep the doctor away

Here are some disturbing apple facts you should keep in mind when shopping…

1. The USDA tested 700 different apple samples and found residues of at least one type of pesticide on 98% of them.
2. 92% of apples contained pesticides even after being washed and peeled.
3. After being sprayed with pesticides in the orchards, just-picked conventional apples are given another round of pesticide treatment to maintain their eye-appeal and to extend their shelf life.
4. Apples are stored for months in supermarkets’ cold storage; during that time, their nutritional value decreases and they also lose flavor and crispness.
5. Conventional apples also contain nitrates, the same cancer-causing preservative found in bacon, cold cuts, and pepperoni.
6. Besides cancer, pesticide exposure has been linked to Parkinson’s, brain damage, ADHD, and lower intelligence.

“Do I have to quit apples?”

Here’s some good news: You can have your apples and eat them too. Just make sure to purchase organic apples — because they’re only good for you when they’re not contaminated with carcinogens and neurotoxins.

Like all pesticide-free produce, organically-grown apples are more healthful in five important ways…

1. Organic produce does not contain pesticides.
2. It’s not genetically modified.
3. It has higher levels of vitamins than conventional produce.
4. It has higher levels of minerals than conventional produce.
5. It has lower levels of heavy metals and nitrates than conventional produce.

Sources: shine, Jim Healthy