“On average a child eats or drinks something contaminated with pesticides about five times a day.”

Would you like to know a little bit more about the benefits of organic foods for children? Or even find out how switching to an organic diet can reduce negative behavioural traits? Dr Alan Green, consultant peadiatrician from Packard Children’s Hospital, (Stanford, USA) has studied the effect of pesticide residues from conventional foods on children’s health and development for years.

One of the studies undertaken at the hospital showed in excess of 200 industrial chemicals present in the blood of newborn babies. These toxins come from the mother via the umbilical cord and because of their immature immune systems, foetuses and babies are unable to detoxify the pollutants. In contrast, by providing nutrient rich, organic (pesticide free) foods to both mother and baby (once weaning begins), you are starting babies off to a much healthier life.

The increase in developmental delays and weakened immune systems resulting from pesticide residues in food are a major concern for Dr Greene. But… “The good news is that by making a simple switch to organic you can virtually eliminate that exposure.” Symptoms as diverse as ADHD to chronic (repeating) ear infections are virtually eliminated when a child’s diet is changed to one consisting primarily of organic, in-season wholefoods. (Nb wholefoods are foods that are unprocessed). Current statistics show that Americans eat approximately 2% organic wholefoods. If that were increased to 10% organic wholefoods, Dr Greene believes there would be a significant improvement to the nation’s health. He says it would also help with global warming and climate change.

Dr Greene has seen the powerful impact of pesticides from personal experience. His wife, who grew up on a conventional grape farm was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. Data shows that the closer a woman’s bedroom is to where pesticides are used, the higher the incidence of breast cancer. A combined medical and nutritional programme helped Dr Greene’s wife beat cancer. Dr Greene says that it was this episode that taught him about the power of food – we are what we eat. The foods we consume have the power to prevent health problems and also heal our bodies.

“Every bite of healthy food is an investment in your body, or it’s a debt you’re taking out.” adds Dr Greene. The nutrients and bio-availabilty of vitamins and minerals are much higher in organic whole foods.

The ‘clean 15‘ list of produce are those wholefoods that carry the least levels of pesticides, so if on a budget you can choose conventionally produced foods and not worry about pesticide residues.

Filed under: Organic Kitchen

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