The Mediterranean diet, rich in a variety of vegetables, fish, and nuts, is traditionally considered the healthiest. It is often recommended by doctors and nutritionists. Research has linked this diet to a longer, better life, a lower risk of depression, improved heart health, and even protection against dementia. However, the new study has brought a warning to a large number of people focusing their menus on plant-based foods. The point is that it can increase the consumption of pesticides. So the growing popularity of organic products is understandable.
A study published in the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition by the Institute of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Oslo found that replacing a traditional Western diet with a Mediterranean diet more than tripled the total consumption of insecticides and organophosphates, chemicals that poison insects and mammals. According to research, if the ingredients for the Mediterranean diet are grown organically, the likelihood of eating pesticides is reduced by about 90 percent.
Strictly adhering to an organic diet is not only costly but also difficult to implement. Such a regime would force many to direct their main spending on the purchase of food, which is simply unreasonable. However, there are certain categories of food that need to be considered. It is better not to buy them in supermarkets, preferring an exclusively organic alternative. We will tell you more about them.
The researchers stressed that the trials were not extensive, but with the growing popularity of plant-based diets, some experts point out that more research is needed on pesticide consumption and their potential health effects. The effects of pesticides on human health are still the subject of much debate, with Oslo researchers arguing that following a Mediterranean diet of inorganic plant foods could well weaken the immune system, affect fertility, and even slow the growth of children.
Every year, product samples are checked for chemicals that are regularly found in certain foods. The most frequently found among them are samples of grapes, oranges, and dried fruits (primarily raisins). In 2018, strawberries topped the UK's most contaminated food list. Spinach, according to the Environmental Working Group, contains more pesticide residues by weight than any other food analyzed. Bell peppers and hot peppers were added to the “contaminated” list this year after nearly three-quarters of hot peppers were found to contain traces of highly toxic pesticide residues.
Washing can remove some of the pesticides left on the fruit, according to the non-profit Pesticide Action Network UK, but buying organic food is the best way to avoid eating it.
So which foods in your average supermarket contain the most pesticides? It:
- Strawberry
- Oranges
- Spinach
- Grape
- Raisins and other dried fruits
- Sweet and hot peppers
- Peaches and nectarines
Fruits and berries with soft peel - grapes, strawberries, raspberries - are most often in the "risk group". It is in these categories that it is best to choose organic products. Experts point out that it is best to switch to the seasonal consumption of vegetables, fruits, and berries in order to protect yourself from the potentially dangerous effects of chemicals.
Several studies show that organic fruits can be more nutritious. However, nutritionists agree that it is preferable to eat non-organic fruits and vegetables rather than completely eliminate them from the diet. Plant foods are vital for protecting the body from disease and excess weight.
At the same time, some product categories show a rather small difference in price between conventional and organic products - for example, milk and its derivatives. Organic milk contains about 50 percent more healthy omega-3 fatty acids than traditional foods, according to a series of studies by scientists from Newcastle University, which has a positive effect on brain and heart health. Research from the Universities of Glasgow and Liverpool has also shown that organic milk contains more vitamin E and beta-carotene, which helps to strengthen the immune system. It is recommended to choose organic grass-fed meat from meat, if possible - free range.
A 2018 University of Paris study published in 2018 found that those who ate more organic foods were 25 percent less likely to get cancer than those who ate the fewest organic foods, although the study did not prove a causal relationship. Scientists said this may be due to the fact that more affluent, educated, and, in principle, healthy people choose environmentally friendly products, so that the duration and quality of their life may be due to other factors. Experts point out that the
You must be logged in to post a comment.