We all know that pesticides are bad for us – so why are they put on food? Pesticides is actually a collective term used for a range of chemicals that are used to kill off molds, unwanted insects, plants and rodents. These chemicals are potentially also toxic for children, who are at an increased risk for certain paediatric cancers (such as brain cancer and leukaemia) when consuming even low levels of them. Exposure to the pesticides can also lead to decreased brain function and a range of behavioural problems.
As well as through food, children come into contact with pesticides every day in the air, through soil and dust, on surfaces within the home, via treated lawns and gardens, contact with pets and various other sources. The main source of contact, however, is through contaminated foods. This was proved when a study showed that children who are placed in a house where their diet consists purely of pesticide-free food, their excretion of pesticide was drastically decreased.
For family wellness, consider buying organic produce, which is not treated with pesticides. If this is too great a financial commitment (as it is for many), having an increased awareness of the foods with the greatest pesticide content. The top 12 of these are: celery, peaches, apples, strawberries, grapes, cherries, potatoes, kale, bell peppers, spinach, blueberries and nectarines.
The best fruits and vegetables to eat, if you’re planning to boost wellbeing by avoiding pesticides, are ones with thicker skins that can resist pesticides, and these are known as the clean 15, and consist of: onions, sweetcorn, avocados, pineapples, sweet peas, mangos, asparagus, cabbage, honeydew melons, cabbage, cantaloupes, aubergines, watermelons, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and kiwis.