The Dirty Dozen List of 2021

Organic vegetables VS inorganic vegetables.

I have written about this topic before but with so many people asking and sharing this post, here we go again…

A few months ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its Dirty Dozen list of vegetables/ fruits.

Dirty dozen is a list of 12 vegetables/ fruits that are grown with maximum use of herbicides and pesticides.

Now, when shopping, it is advisable to buy these 12 items organic only, due to the high use of chemicals sprayed on them.

This list is published after thorough research and consultation with numerous experts at the organization.

While I insist my clients only use organic produce because it is absolutely worth paying a little extra for your long-term health. I do understand that not everyone has access to organic produce all the time.

But it is wise to at least choose organic (or hydroponic) when it comes to the below 12 items.

Here is the Dirty Dozen list of 2021:

1. Strawberries

2. Spinach

3. Kale, Collard and Mustard greens

4. Nectarines

5. Apples

6. Grapes

7. Cherries

8. Peaches

9. Pears

10. Bell and Hot peppers

11. Celery

12. Tomatoes

What does science say?

Why is organic produce preferred, especially for the 12 foods mentioned by EWG? It is mainly because of the most commonly used broad-spectrum herbicide known as Glyphosate. It was introduced onto the pesticide market in 1974 and since then, has its use increased worldwide to more than 100 fold.

This herbicide, Glyphosate, sprayed all across the globe, is demonstrated to damage a high percentage of the species of the microbiome in the human gut. This effect on the human gut from exposure to Glyphosate was tested by the researchers at the University of Turku in Finland.

This research found that 54% of around 101 species of bacteria commonly found in our guts could be damaged or killed if exposed to Glyphosate in high enough quantities. Especially if you struggle with IBS or gut disorders, choose organic.

Trust this helps!

Roshni Sanghvi.