Organic foods are more expensive; there’s no getting around that fact.
As I’ve said before in a previous post, the health benefits of organically grown produce are numerous, and the deleterious effects of harmful chemicals sprayed onto crops is substantial, according to research. To ease the financial burden you could refer to the Dirty Dozen list provided for free by Pesticide Action Network UK; a charity that research, campaign and apply pressure on government and UK supermarket chains to sell pesticide-free and herbicide-free foods.
Pesticides have been in use for thousands of years, first using sulphur to kill insects, then by using heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury. Around the 1940s synthetic insecticide DDT was used instead. DDT has now been found to be associated with declining rates of semen quality and infertility. These effects have also been shown to affect offspring and subsequent generations through epigenetic modifications, meaning this didn’t just affect men and women of child-rearing age during the 40s when these synthetic pesticides were used, but the deleterious side effects were passed down from generation to generation.
Glyphosphate came onto the market in the 70s; a herbicide so widely used by industries and domestic household use that you’re probably exposing yourself to it without even knowing it. Developed and manufactured by Monsanto, it is found in weed killers like Roundup. Farmers the world over use it, and of course, it can be bought in most supermarkets, garden centres and DIY shops in the UK. Despite a positive association of glyphosphate use and cancer in humans, the European Food Safety Authority deemed the chemical safe to use in 2017 and is up for review again in 2022. As has been the case historically for each new generation of pesticide development, it’s only a matter of time before glyphosphate is discontinued and replaced with a proposed “safer” alternative. Sadly, it’s been shown time and again that each chemical substance used in a bid to deter insects, pests, fungal and bacterial infections, has had detrimental and devastating effects on human health.
Escape to the country!
Fleeing to the idyllic countryside would seem appealing these days. We think of our urban towns and cities as the only areas which are heavily laden with pollutants in the air, water and food. Pesticides are used on pavements and local parks. However, it has been shown that farmers and their families are negatively affected by pesticide-related ill health, as are rural residents due to pesticide drift. Furthermore, spraying pesticides onto crops contaminates the soil, and run-off from spraying pavements and streets inevitably means it ends up in our water supply. Pesticides use is also linked to the decline in the bee population, and other pollinators, as well as birds and bugs. Important micro-organisms and worms found in soil are poisoned upon incessant pesticide use, depleting our soil of nutrients (soil infertility).
Let’s vote with our wallets and choose health, not just for ourselves, but for our children and their future. You can start by investing in local farmers who labour tirelessly to produce good quality food. I’ll be posting the most up to date Dirty Dozen list soon so you can select those particular fruits and vegetables to go strictly organic!
Comments