Those who consume conventionally grown foods consume significantly more pesticides than those who consume certified organic fruit and vegetables. This raises many questions: What are pesticides and where are they used? How dangerous are pesticides for humans? Are organic foods really better? Are they actually less contaminated with pesticides? Is it worth paying more for them? These questions need to be clarified, and the difference between conventional and organic foods needs to be clarified.
What are pesticides and why are they used?
Pesticides are a broad range of synthetic chemicals that are toxic to unwanted animals and plants. The term "pest" is derived from the English word "pest" and is intended to kill these pests. Depending on whether they are used against weeds, insects, or fungi, they are also referred to as herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides. These chemicals are primarily used under the pretext of achieving higher crop yields.
Where are pesticides used?
Conventional agriculture uses synthetic chemical pesticides. However, these are often referred to by the representatives as plant protection products. Regardless of what you call this chemical nuisance, it's not surprising that pesticides are detectable in around 80% of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables. Organic farming, on the other hand, does not use pesticides. More precisely, all synthetic chemical preparations are strictly prohibited.
Are pesticides dangerous?
It's not surprising that pesticides are harmful or toxic, after all, that's exactly what they're designed to do. Yet some people still believe that pesticides kill insects but don't harm them at all. After all, if these substances were truly so dangerous, they wouldn't be allowed to be used, would they? This assumption, however, is far from true. Pesticides are chemicals that are toxic to pests, as well as to nature and humans.
How do pesticides work in the body?
The toxicity of pesticides to humans varies greatly depending on the active ingredient. However, more and more publications are appearing on the potential health risks, revealing how pesticides affect the human organism. The slow and often delayed effects of pesticides are particularly dangerous for consumers. It has long been known that pesticides are carcinogenic, impair sperm quality, attack genetic material, trigger allergies, disrupt cell division, and impair the immune system. The mere thought of this makes one feel dizzy and uneasy. And we don't even know how the toxins interact with each other and their breakdown products. So what can we do?
Is organic fruit and vegetables the solution?
It is now clear that pesticides enter the human body not only through food, but also through the skin and respiratory tract. These chemicals have long since seeped into the groundwater, and it is almost impossible to escape them completely. However, there are ways to minimize personal pesticide exposure. This includes consuming organic products that bear various
organic seals.Organic food can massively reduce daily exposure to pesticide residues, as no synthetic chemicals are permitted in organic farming. The comparison with conventional fruit is particularly evident in organic fruit. Studies have shown that conventionally grown kiwis have 3,000 times higher pesticide contamination than organic kiwis. If that isn't meaningful, isn't it?
Conclusion
It should be clear to everyone by now that pesticides not only kill weeds and beetles, but also have a significant impact on humans. Unfortunately, pesticides have become ubiquitous. Yet, precisely for this reason, it's worth choosing organic products, which almost never contain pesticides, and only unintentionally, in order to minimize direct exposure to them through food consumption. Therefore, anyone who wants to eat healthily should – whenever possible – opt for organically grown fruit and vegetables, even if that means digging a little deeper into their pockets. After all, we're talking about our health, and we shouldn't skimp on it.
