It’s hard to argue with the health benefits of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits (lower blood pressure; reduced risk of heart disease, stroke,  cancers and etc.). But is it really as healthy as we think it is?

Recent studies by the Environmental Working Group (an environmental research firm in Washington, D.C.) tested the pesticide levels of 44 kinds of produce to find out.  They provided this list in descending order of pesticide toxicity levels of the..

(image credits: atomicshark)

10 most toxic fruits and vegetables (conventionally grown) :

1. Peaches
2. Apples (can contain more than 30 types of pesticides)
3. Sweet Bell Peppers (11 different pesticides found on a single pepper)
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Grapes
10. Pears (86 percent of samples tested found with detectable pesticides)

While, the pesticides individually may not pose too much of a risk, the risk from these pesticides in combination remain unknown. It can cause everything from dizziness to cancer, as well as headaches, rashes, and liver toxicity.

After I’ve read about this research on toxic fruits and vegetables I had really cut down on eating apples, grapes and peaches from supermarkets (and I used to eat them everyday in huge amounts). Luckily  the same environmental Working Group found a list of least toxic conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

You can read it here: 10 Least Toxic Conventionally Grown Fruits and Vegetables

Source

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10 Least Toxic Conventionally Grown Fruits and Vegetables