| (First in a series of articles about "The Dirty Dozen," | | | | safe for an adult male but can be toxic for children |
| a reference to the twelve most contaminated foods | | | | and pregnant women. Peeling the apple won't solve |
| by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit | | | | the pesticide problem. Pesticides penetrate. Besides, |
| organization comprised of scientists and engineers.) | | | | the pectin concentrated in the apple skin is what |
| According to researchers at Iowa State University, | | | | flushes toxins from the body and lowers cholesterol. |
| that lovely looking apple you are thinking about eating | | | | Why add more toxins to the body with eating |
| is one of the most pesticide intensive crops grown in | | | | conventionally grown apples that the pectin can't |
| the United States. During the growing season, apple | | | | handle? Don't. Eat organically grown apples. |
| growers spray the trees with pesticides multiple | | | | Studies from Britain and France reveal organic apples |
| times. When the Environmental Working Group | | | | have greater concentrations of nutrients believe to |
| tested conventionally grown apples, they discovered | | | | protect the body against heart attacks and |
| as many as 36 pesticides on the apples. The | | | | cancer-causing chemicals. Organic apples are |
| pesticides that were detected have been linked to | | | | powerhouses when it comes to containing |
| damages to the human reproductive system, | | | | antioxidants. Cornell University researchers concluded |
| damages to the brain and nervous system, including | | | | that apple consumption could be an effective |
| decreased intelligence and increased attention | | | | strategy for cancer prevention. In fact, the |
| problems in children, and damages to the immune | | | | phytonutrients (compounds derived from plants that |
| system. Johnny Appleseed would be shocked. | | | | have an incredible ability to fight diseases) in organic |
| Since apples are the second most popular eaten | | | | apples may actually reduce breast tumors. |
| fruits and apple juice is the second most popular | | | | So, go ahead. Eat that apple if it's organic. That old |
| juice, conventionally grown apples have become a | | | | adage can become popular again--an organic apple a |
| serious source of pesticide exposure for people. The | | | | day will keep the doctor away. |
| established safe limits of pesticide residues may be | | | | |