2012 Dirty Dozen List

The Environmental Working Group just released the 2012 Dirty Dozen produce list. Click on the link to access the list of produce with the lowest and highest levels of pesticides.
Click here to access the list

Why Organic Produce Provides Much Higher Levels of Antioxidants

"Organic farming methods have increased antioxidant levels in some cases by over 300 percent. On average, across 7 studies that reported direct comparisons of the levels of antioxidants in conventional and organic foods, levels in organic food averaged about 1/3 higher.", Dr Charles Benbrook for the U.S. Organic Center , January 2005 

"Organically grown plants display higher levels of antioxidants because they are grown without the added protection of synthetic pesticides and therefore suffer more stress.

Organic culture works to feed the soil, which gives plants the necessary nutrients with which to "heal" themselves when presented with this added stress. Emphasis is placed on soil nutrition rather than simply using a pesticide to remedy problems.
The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry (2003), February agrees "that good soil nutrition appears to increase levels of natural compounds that have anti-cancer, immune boosting and anti-aging properties." Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, blueberries, red cabbage, strawberries, plums, broccoli, watercress, red grapes, kale and spinach tend to accumulate the highest levels of antioxidants. It also happens to be where many systemic pesticides tend to build up. Peeling the skin on conventionally grown produce may perhaps reduce your risk of chemical exposure somewhat, however it also reduces the amount of disease fighting antioxidants you consume."


Source: Economii.com, Yahoo

Pesticides Linked to ADHD

Youngsters with high levels of pesticide residue in their urine, particularly from widely used types of insecticide such as malathion, were more likely to have ADHD, scientists in the United States and Canada found. It is the largest study to date to look at the effect of pesticides on child development and behavior, including ADHD.

The most alarming finding was a near-doubling in odds of ADHD diagnoses among kids with higher-than-average levels of the most common of the six metabolites, a common pesticide, detected. Kids with high levels of dimethyl thiophosphate were 93 percent more likely to have the disorder than children with with undetectable levels of the marker. 

The best advice for parents is to buy organic produce or choose foods with low level of pesticides. Click here for the list.

Source: msnbc.com

Access to Your Local Farmer's Markets Now!

Find out how to get organic (and non-organic) local produce delivered to your home. Enter your zip code on the home page, and a list of local farmer's market will come up so you can choose the best fit for your family.

Click here to access localharvest.org