Organic healthy foods
Organic foods are becoming popular among the mass.
- US Department of Agriculture has specific criteria on organic food labels and packaging.
- It is commonly thought that organic foods give less exposure to agricultural chemicals and contain better nutrients and hence is better for health.
- At this point in time there is no good evidence if organic food is better in reducing cancer risk or progression.
According to National Institute of Health (NIH), nearly 900 active ingredients in registered pesticides in the United States, about 20 have been found to be carcinogenic in animals.
- Studies of people with high exposures to pesticides, such as farmers, pesticide applicators, crop duster pilots, and manufacturers, have found high rates of blood and lymphatic system cancers, cancers of the lip, stomach, lung, brain, and prostate, as well as melanoma and other skin cancers.
- So far, human studies do not allow researchers to sort out exactly which pesticides are linked to which cancers.
- Therefore, most of these pesticides are still listed in the Report on Carcinogens as likely to be cancer-causing, rather than as known carcinogens.
| Most likely to contain pesticides residues | Likely less contaminated foods |
|---|---|
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Reference: Environmental Working Group
Other food and nutrition topics:
- Cooking oil
- Dietary fat
- Dietary fiber
- Omega 3 fatty acid
- Organic healthy food
- Preserved food
- Red meat
- Soy products
- Sugar
- Vegetarian diet guideline
- Vitamin D
- Other resources
