Did you know that about 41% of non-organic vegetables and 70% of non-organic fruits contain pesticide residues? It's true! It's been reported by the NGO Generations Futures. Pesticides are highly used in agriculture to help with the growth process and to remove unwanted bugs, insects, and parasites.
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The company analysed 19 types of fruits and 33 types of vegetables. Their findings? About 41% of vegetables and 70% of fruits contain pesticide residues!
The fruits to avoid
As a result of the study, celery showed to have the most concentrated traces of pesticides with nearly 84%. Fresh herbs had about 74.5% and chicory had 73%. For fruit, grapes had 89%, mandarins (88.4%), cherries (87.7%) and grapefruit (85.7%) dominate the first places.
The safest fruits
As a result from the study, the veggies that were least affected by pesticides were corn (1.9%), asparagus (3%), beetroot (4.4%) and cauliflower (6%). For the least affected fruits: avocados (23.1%), kiwis (27.1%), plums (34.8%), and raspberries/currants (52.1%).
Although the health consequences of pesticide residues are difficult to quantify, there is evidence that they are toxic to humans. Generations Futures states: 'The effects, even small quantities of these toxic, mixed and/or for long periods can pose serious health problems: neurological or behavioural disorders, development, cancer, fertility disorders or reproduction. It is advisable to wash and peel fruits and vegetables. It is in the skin that concentrates the pesticides but unfortunately, it is also in this skin that concentrates many nutrients'.
