Avoiding the “Dirty Dozen”

Each year the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) compiles a list of the 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of potentially toxic pesticide chemicals. The organization uses test results compiled by the USDA to determine how saturated different produce is, and what contaminants they contain.  

 

 

The testing for 2022 found 210 pesticides in various fruits and vegetables, including pesticides banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (likely showing how persistent these powerful chemicals are in the soil, even long after they have ceased to be used, in addition to illegal use). These toxins are linked to a vast array of diseases and conditions, including food and other allergies, neurological disorders, cancers, and even birth defects. The toxins can accumulate in the body’s tissues, increasing the danger. Young children are at the greatest risk because their nervous, immune, and other systems are still developing. 

 

The list for 2023 is:

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
  4. Peaches
  5. Pears
  6. Nectarines
  7. Apples
  8. Grapes
  9. Peppers
  10. Cherries
  11. Blueberries
  12. Green Beans

 

Buying (and Eating) Clean

The best way to avoid dangerous chemicals in produce is to avoid conventionally grown versions of the dirty dozen. There are two ways to do that.

 

  • Go organic. The dirty dozen includes some of the most delicious and otherwise nutritious and delicious fruits and veggies you can buy. You can enjoy the flavors and health benefits without the chemicals, by simply buying certified organic. Although the cost will be higher (significantly, in some cases), consider it an investment in preventing serious illnesses that could be expensive themselves, not to mention life-altering.

 

  • Buy off the “clean” list. If organic produce is outside your family grocery budget, you can mitigate some of the risk from the dirty dozen, by shopping for alternatives. A great way to do that is to choose from the tasty options on EWG’s “Clean 15”. Just as it sounds, this is a list of fruits and vegetables with the lowest amounts of tested contaminants. The list for 2023 is:
  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet Corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet Peas
  7. Asparagus
  8. Honeydew
  9. Kiwi
  10. Cabbage
  11. Mushrooms
  12. Mangoes
  13. Sweet Potatoes
  14. Watermelon
  15. Carrots

 

If you eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, chances are you are probably regularly consuming one of the dirty dozen. Keep in mind that many toxins accumulate in body tissues, making their worst effects known only in the long run. It’s also worth noting that the USDA’s research, on which the dirty dozen list is based, found instances of fruits and vegetables containing hundreds of times the allowable limit for certain pesticides and compounds, and detected significant levels of outlawed chemicals. The healthiest diet is the one with the fewest chemicals and contaminants—which translates to one that diminishes the impact of “dirty” fruits and vegetables.

9150cookie-checkAvoiding the “Dirty Dozen”

Related Articles

CBD Labeling Inaccuracies

The potential health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) continue to be researched and hyped in equal measure. CBD has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory, pain fighter, sedative, anxiety reliever and more. However, few of

Read More »

Marijuana and Sleep Disruption

Many people think that indulging in a vape or puff of pot right before bedtime can help ensure a good night’s sleep. A new survey on marijuana and sleep, commissioned by the American

Read More »

Kencur Ginger as a Cancer-Fighter

A Japanese study published late last year found that a South Asian spice, Kencur ginger, had anticancer properties. The spice specifically inhibits cancer cell growth. Usually sold as “sand ginger,” this version of

Read More »

The Truth About Fish Oil

Supplement sales are big business in the U.S. and around the globe. Unfortunately, it is a poorly regulated business. Manufacturers often overstate health claims on their labels, including the levels of different ingredients

Read More »

Ecotherapy

The healing power of nature is well-documented. One famous study found that spending just two hours a week in nature can measurably improve physical health and mental well-being. That’s the benefit of passively

Read More »

The Health Benefits of Honey

Humans have enjoyed the complex flavors and intense sweetness of honey for thousands of years. They’ve also used it as a health aid for just as long. That’s because this sweetener—especially in its

Read More »