We often hear that if we choose to exercise and eat properly, our pancreas will thank us by functioning better and reducing our chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Many of those who monitor your health will have heard of a list of products that are made referred to as the “dirty dozen”. What is this list and how does the content impact your life and body? The dirty dozen is a term used to describe certain fruits and vegetables, perhaps even some of your favorites, adversely affected by pesticides. Products listed as the “dirty dozen” are believed to be more contaminated by pesticides than other products and as such it is wise to stay away from them if you hope to maintain good health.

Researchers have also linked pesticide ingestion as a risk to fetal brain development during pregnancy and even in early childhood. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report recommending limiting pesticide-containing foods as much as possible in children. While it is unfortunate to have to “avoid” fresh fruits and vegetables, as they are considered very healthy for the body, what you must remember is that when they become contaminated by the use of pesticides, they will not do anything positive. for your health. These chemicals will enter your system and may do more harm to your body than to your health.

So what are the “dirty dozens of fruits and vegetables”? The following is the current list to avoid …

• strawberries (they are considered especially harmful. The researchers found that more than a third of the berries tested contained 10 or more pesticides),

• Spinach,

• nectarines

• apples

• peaches

• pears,

• cherries,

• grapes,

• celery,

• Tomatoes,

• sweet peppers, and

• potatoes.

While you can buy conventional varieties and then focus on washing them thoroughly, a large amount of pesticide residue has been found to remain. So it may be best to make sure you buy organic produce, as long as your budget allows. If your budget doesn’t allow you to buy organic products, you may want to avoid them altogether.

Many other “conventional” options offer a healthier option and are considered the “clean 15”. These include …

• avocados,

• sweet corn,

• pineapples,

• cabbage,

• onions,

• frozen sweet peas,

• papayas,

• asparagus,

• mangoes

• eggplant,

• sweet melon,

• Kiwi,

• Cantaloupe,

• broccoli and

• cauliflower.

As you can see, there are a variety of tasty options to choose from if you want to continue to maintain a healthy intake of fresh produce but limit your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides. While we do not instantly notice the side effects and symptoms of ingesting harmful chemicals; Over the years it builds up and can increase your risk factor for many diseases, including cancer. Shop smart and you won’t have a problem avoiding this problem.