Organic Food - Harmful Chemicals in Foods

Food grown with the aid of artificial fertilizers and pesticides contains toxic chemicals that can cause serious harm to our health and environmental problems.

Fertilizers are supposed to help in producing healthy crops, but research has shown that artificial fertilizers reduce the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables, and lower human reproductive function.

Pesticides include insecticides, molluscides (to kill slugs and snails) and nematicides (to kill worms).

Residues from these fertilizers or pesticides can remain in the soil for decades and are likely taken up by the root of corps.

Here are some harmful fertilizers or pesticides:

Organophosphates
This type of insecticide interferes with an insect's nervous system and is the most widely used group of pesticides. They are acutely toxic, affecting the nervous system and disrupting hormone function. High levels of methyl parathion and azinphos methyl have been found on a wide range of fruit and vegetables. The US has now eliminated the use of methyl parathion on certain corps and reduced allowable residues for azinphos methyl.

Methomyl
An insecticide that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Its use is restricted because of its high toxicity to humans. It is a suspected endocrine disruptor and a potential groundwater contaminant.

Lindane
This insecticide is an endocine disrupter and has been linked to breast cancer and anemia. It is applied in spray form to treat a number of food corps, and is also used to control ticks on livestock. It is presently banned in more than 50 countries, and is under consideration for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, which would ban its production and use worldwide.

Maleic Hydrazide
This is sometimes sprayed onto onions and potatoes to stop them from sprouting (but it may cause the sprouting to occur inside the vegetable, which is probably worse). It is toxic to humans. Animal studies have shown damage to the liver and central nervous system. There are concerns about its safety because it contains minute quantities of a known toxin, hydrazine, which may leach into water supplies.

Food Waxes
Fruits and vegetables may be coated with one of a number of waxes to maintain freshness and improve their appearance. Paraffin wax, a petrochemical derivative, may interfere with digestion and the absorption of vitamins. Other coatings include carnauba wax, the same wax that is used on cars and floors and shellac.

Effects of Banned Chemicals
Although there are increasing number of chemicals been banned but their residues can remain in the soil for decades and are taken up by the roots of some plants.

For example, Dieldrin - this insecticide accumulates in human body fat and has been linked to reproductive disorders and cancer. Besides fruits and vegetables, it may also be found in fish, dairy products, and animal meats.

So as the old saying, we are what we eat. If we enjoy uncontaminated and fresh food, this is going to reflect in our health, vitality and energy. And eating organic food is the best for our health and well-being.

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