Why Choose Organic? Top 4 Reasons to Avoid the Dirty Dozen

Why choose organic over conventionally grown food? Does eating organic foods actually make a difference to your health? In today’s article, I’m sharing the top 4 reasons you should eat organic and specifically avoid the Dirty Dozen.

 

You may read articles telling you that eating organic doesn’t impact your health and the amount of toxins you consume from food aren’t enough to make a difference, but I (and thousands of other Functional Medicine providers) will have to argue that one. 

 

Wondering, “Why choose organic?” Here’s why…

First off, What is the “Dirty Dozen”?

The Dirty Dozen is a list of the top 12 foods that are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides. The EWG publishes it every year with updated findings from research. These are best to buy organic to avoid high pesticide levels.

 

For example, the 2021 Dirty Dozen List contains:

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Peaches
  9. Pears
  10. Bell and hot Peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

 

But this year, it may differ, so it’s helpful to check up on it every year.

What is the “Clean Fifteen”?

The good news is that our entire food system isn’t contaminated with pesticides. The EWG also releases the Clean Fifteen every year which reports the top produce that are the least like to be contaminated. This list suggests the foods that are okay to buy/eat non-organic.

 

The 2021 Clean Fifteen Report found the following foods to be the least pesticide-contaminated foods:

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn*
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya*
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Broccoli
  10. Cabbage
  11. Kiwi
  12. Cauliflower
  13. Mushrooms
  14. Honeydew melon
  15. Cantaloupe

* The EWG states “A small amount of sweet corn, papaya, and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from genetically modified seeds. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid genetically modified produce.”

 

So, now you know what the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen actually are, why choose organic? Do the pesticides on these foods really make that big of an impact?

Why Choose Organic? Top 4 Reasons to Avoid the Dirty Dozen

Reason #1: Pesticide Exposure is Harmful to Your Health

Conventional farmers spray their crops with an astounding amount of synthetic + harmful pesticides each season. These pesticides stay on the fruits and vegetables up until you pop one of those delicious strawberries in your mouth. While a tiny dose of pesticides may not impact you, the accumulation of all the toxins that are in today’s environment will take a toll on your health and your body’s cells.

 

Increased toxin exposure can increase your risk of:

  • Certain Cancers
  • Immunotoxicity
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Imbalanced Hormones
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction

 

If you can avoid toxins in any way possible, why wouldn’t you? You may be putting yourself more at risk for short-term and long-term health issues by ignoring your pesticide exposure. Organic produce means the farmers don’t spray synthetic chemicals on their fields and produce. 

Children are even more susceptible

And the sad part is that children are even more susceptible to pesticide exposure than adults. Most processed foods have a concentrated amount of pesticides in them and our children are eating them every day (cereals, crackers, granola bars, etc). 

 

But their little developing brains and organs are especially vulnerable because children’s detox systems aren’t fully developed. This means they can eliminate any excess toxins as efficiently and effectively as adults. Because of this, the toxins build up and can impair bodily functions.

 

Reason #2: Organic Foods Have More Antioxidants 

Not only are there fewer pesticide residues on organic foods, but studies suggest that organic foods tend to be significantly higher in antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Organic produce could have even as much 20 to 40 percent higher compared to conventional produce.

 

Also, bacteria-resistant strains were more likely to be found in conventionally raised animal products compared to organically grown. This is just another reason to buy organically raised animal products.

 

Reason #3: Dirty Dozen Foods Damage Gut Health

As a Functional Medicine doctor, one of the most extensive focus areas I investigate to treat patients is gut health. This is because your gut can impact your entire overall wellbeing (mental state, allergies, nagging symptoms, digestive health, hormone imbalance + more).

 

Well, high exposure to pesticides can contribute to the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and metabolic disorders….all leading to increased risk to other health dysfunctions.

 

When your gut becomes damaged, it can cause annoying systems (headaches, bloating, fatigue) to more serious health conditions ranging from autoimmune disease to severe anxiety and depression.

 

Glyphosate, one of the most commonly used pesticides in the United States, has been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome. Studies show how abnormal composition of gut microbiota in pregnant women has even been linked to autism spectrum disorder in their children.

Reason #4: Conventional Agriculture Hurts the Soil (and your health)

If you don’t buy organic because of your health, you should still do it for the environment, which in turn will help the world’s health.

 

Conventional farming ruins the earth’s soil by taking up all the nutrients without replenishing them. The popular farming technique of mono-cropping focuses on growing just one crop over thousands of acres (think, wheat, corn, etc). 

 

What this does is cause bare soil in just a few harvests, leaving damaged land and soil that can’t be used. It also promotes dangerous runoff water, where heavy rains lead to pesticides in our drinking water. Their tilling practices also encourage the release of CO2 that is stored down in the soil, which contributes to climate change.

 

With sustainable practices, using organic methods, permaculture techniques, and no-till practice, soil health is actually improved instead of being destroyed. Better soil health means better crops, better water retention, increased CO2 absorption in the ground, and better health for us.

 

So why choose organic? It will save your health and our planet.

 

Ways to Avoid Pesticides

Are you wondering how you can avoid toxin exposure and reduce your pesticide consumption?

 

  • Buy organic foods, especially on the Dirty Dozen list
  • Grow your own backyard garden: Even if these are a couple of plants on the dirty dozen list, like a tomato plant and some greens and herbs. 
  • Shop local farmer’s markets: Local markets tend to have cleaner produce. You should still look for organic stands and “no-spray” veggies and fruits. You can even ask what they use as a spray.

 

Work with a Functional Medicine Doctor Annapolis Maryland

Are you worried about your toxin load? Working with a functional medicine provider can help you detox safely and give you tips on how to avoid toxins in the future. They can also help you restore any damage that has already been done to your gut or hormonal health because of constant toxin exposure.

 

If you are ready to take control of your health and life, I’m here to help. I’m Dr. Skye Stewart, a Functional Medicine Doctor in Annapolis, Maryland. 

 

I use Functional Medicine lab testing and analysis, supplementation, and lifestyle recommendations to get to the root cause of health issues and help your body run optimally. Together we will investigate what is causing you to feel less than your best and address it at its source. 

 

Schedule a FREE 10-minute consult to get started!