Fear of Pesticides Shouldn’t Deter You From Eating Your Fruits and Veggies

Most health experts advise people to eat more veggies and fruits due to the health benefits they come with. Fruits and vegetables contain vital nutrients and vitamins to help in preventing some diseases.

Plant-based foods also have fewer calories and can allow you to easily manage your weight. With these benefits, you’d expect more people to keep taking fruits and vegetables, but that isn’t the case.

The fear of pesticide residue on these plant-based foods is preventing many people from taking fruits and veggies, a recent survey reveals.

Nobody would want to consume chemicals that would either damage their brain or affect their fertility. The low consumption of fruits and veggies is also partly to campaigns that market organic produce as having lower pesticide residue.

Many people can’t afford to purchase organic produce since they’re quite expensive. The result is that people will eat less of plant-based produce.

The Facts About Pesticides

In the U.S, pesticide residue isn’t a safety concern in the food supply industry. Both organic and non-organic farmers both rely either on natural and synthetic pesticides to control diseases and pests on their crops.

To ensure safety, pesticides and their use on crops are regulated. The FDA recommends that one should wash their fruit and veggies before consuming to remove any bacteria, dirt, and pesticide residue if any.

Therefore, the fear of pesticides shouldn’t deter you from eating fruits and vegetables. The amount of potential pesticide residue found on organic and non-organic produced crops is in small amounts.

As some experts say, the small amounts haven’t yet been linked to any serious health effect. You should be more concerned about the bacteria and viruses on produce instead of pesticides.

There are natural-based pesticides used in organic farming that ensure healthier produce. While the organic produce may be healthier, there are no studies that confirm you entirely avoid pesticides by eating organic produce.

Reducing Pesticide Intake

If you’re too concerned about the levels of pesticide residue in your fruits and veggies, you can take measures to reduce the amount of pesticide intake.

You can achieve this by washing your produce before eating. Water mixed with baking soda or white vinegar can also be used to effectively clean your produce.

Integrating local and organic produce in your food is also vital in reducing pesticide intake. Select thick-skinned fruits such as avocados and bananas if you’re going to eat non-organic foods.

Moreover, you can choose to control the food supply at your home by having a kitchen garden where you can grow your fruits and veggies. Select a few easy-to-grow veggies to spice up your meal.

Health Benefits of Fruits and Veggies

There’s no doubt about the health benefits that come with including fruits and vegetables in your diet. Your age, gender, and overall health will determine the amount of plant-based produce you can consume.

Therefore, consumers must be less concerned about the effects of the low levels of pesticide residue on their produce. They should instead consider taking a wide range of fruits and veggies.