June 29, 2010

Pesty Produce

Don't eat that apple
Straight off the tree
Wash your fruits and veggies first
And they'll be safe for you and me.

Study Linking Pesticides and ADHD

A recent study conducted in the United States and Canada showed that children with above-average levels of pesticides in their bodies were about twice as likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). So what should we take away from this study?

• While the study does not prove that pesticides are the cause of ADHD, it does show an alarming link that no doubt is being researched further. Pesticides used on crops of fruits and vegetables can be harmful to people, wildlife and the environment if ingested in large quantities, but just using your head can help you avoid damaging your health at home.
• Wash your produce before you eat it. A splash of water is too little, but soap and water is too much, as soap can also leave behind a residue of chemicals. After washing your own hands, hold produce under running water and rub your hands across the surface gently. Solid produce like apples and potatoes can be scrubbed with a brush.
• Buy organic when you can. Organic fruits and vegetables do not contain pesticides - but they should still be washed before you eat them because hundreds of hands may have touched them before you brought them home!

Read more information on the study linking pesticides to ADHD in kids.
Do you know how to properly wash your fruits and veggies?
Organic online markets can help even the busiest of us to eat healthy and green.