We pack them into our smoothies, assemble them into our salads and use them as garnishes for hearty dishes. And, whether you love spinach, kale, cabbage or simple, romaine lettuce, I think we can all agree that the point of eating these greens is to be healthy! Oh, and to gain valuable nutrients that will improve our health.
… So why counteract the health benefits with toxic pesticides known to deteriorate health?
The truth is, when you consume conventional produce, you’re not only consuming the greens but also a number of toxic chemicals that come along with them.
Neurotoxic Greens
The number of pesticides used in agriculture has significantly increased over the past decade; they are widely used, much more potent and the list just keeps on growing.
You may be surprised that, according to recent testing done by the USDA, there is an average of 7 different pesticides lurking in your greens.
And if you’re a fan of spinach, buying non-organic spinach can expose you to nearly 16 different chemicals, like permethrin, all at once! And while permethrin (a neurotoxin) has been banned from use in Europe since 2000, it is unfortunately still used in the US… despite studies linking it to ADHD in children.
Studies have recently found that children with permethrin residue in their urine samples are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.
And, despite popular belief, simply washing your greens will not get rid of all pesticide residues. In many cases, pesticides are absorbed through plants root system as they grow. In fact, banned chemicals like DDT (banned in the 1970’s) are still showing up in spinach grown today through conventional soil. And while it is true you can cook out a small portion of toxins at high heat, you will also be losing key vitamins and nutrients from your produce in the process.
Choose Organic
The solution? Buy organic. Avoid harmful synthetic pesticides and herbicides by simply upgrading your produce. Not only can you be rest assured that you are not consuming toxic chemicals, but you can also feel good knowing your food is produced using sustainable methods that are good for your health, good for farmers and good for the environment.
Organic Opulence’s Pick
When buying produce, I love buying local, while also supporting companies that take pride in providing organic produce on a larger scale.
One of my favorite producers is Cal-Organic Farms, widely available in natural food grocers.
Check out my favorite on-the-go Organic Kale Smoothie Recipe below:
Anti-inflammatory, Detoxifying & Immune Supporting
1 Cup Chopped Organic Lacinato Kale from Cal-Organic Farms
½ Cup Organic Orange Juice
½ Cup Filtered Water using a Big Berkey Water Filter
½ Banana
3 Tablespoons of Hemp Seeds
½ Teaspoon Chia Seeds
½ Teaspoon Ashwagandha from Sun Potion
1 Knob of Ginger
1 Teaspoon Raw Manuka Honey from Wedderspoon
Spritz of Fresh Lemon Juice
Sprinkle of Coconut Flakes
For more information regarding the topics discussed in this article feel free to visit the following resources:
Association of pyrethroid pesticide exposure with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a nationally representative sample of U.S. children
Groundwater pesticide levels and the association with Parkinson disease
EWG’s 2017 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
DOG, TIERAONA LOW. FORTIFY YOUR LIFE: YOUR GUIDE TO VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND MORE. WASHINGTON, DC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, 2016
Review report for the active substance permethrin
