TCnbc Magazine - 15
Foods best eaten if
conventionally grown
Onions:
Onions make you cry, but they might be tears of joy, as onions carry the fewest pesticides - only 1 and on only .3% of samples tested. It is dicloran, a fungicide banned in most of European countries.. Aside from lending flavor to an array of dishes, onions have cardio-vascular benefits, including cholesterol-lowering effects; they also boost immunity and combat inflammation. Onions contain many phytonutrients, too, including the antioxidant quercetin.
Sweet corn:
Corn is virtually pesticide-free, harboring traces of just one pesticide (the neurotoxin dimethoate) and then on only 2.3 percent of samples. Apart from fiber-packed kernels, corn provides some B vitamins as well as vitamins C and E. It's also a good source of the carotenoid antioxidant letein, which protects the retina. Beware: ALL corn commercially grown in the US is GMO.
Pineapples:
Traces of 6 pesticides have been identified in this juicy fruit, most frequently the neurotoxin triadimefon, in 4.5% of samples. It's also a possible carcinogen. Another pesticide found in trace amounts, is carbaryl, a neurotoxin and likely carcinogen, which like triadimefon, is banned in most European countries. Rich in vitamin C, pineapples also contain bromelain, a protein digesting enzyme that can curb indigestion and reduce inflammation.
Avocado:
The major pesticide used on avocados has as its active ingredient the neurotoxin abamectin, which can lead to loss of coordination and tremors in high doses. Avocados are a good source of fiber and folate, but increasingly research is focusing on avocado oil. Like olives, avocados are rich in oleic acid, known to protect the cardio-vascular system. Among other beneficial fats in avocados are phytosterols, which fight inflammation.
Asparagus:
The residue of 9 pesticides have been found in asparagus but in only 3.3% of samples. Methomyl, a neuro-toxin, is the most frequent. Found in 3% of samples is chlorpyrifos, another neuro-toxin. Asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse, with significant vitamins A and B, including folate and many other minerals. It's also anti-oxidant rich, a protector of the nervous system, a promoter of heart health and a player in blood sugar regulation.
Sweet peas:
The USDA found residues of 12 chemicals on sweet peas in frequencies ranging from .1% to 12.1% of sample. The only compound found in more than 10% of samples is dimethoate, a neuro-toxin. These relatively unpolluted pearls contain omega-3 fats as well as vitamins A, B and C. Peas also boast a phytonutrient under investigation for its ability to fight stomach cancer and other phytonutrients linked to lowered risks of diabetes.
Mangoes:
Two major pesticides used on mangoes are the neuro-toxin imidacloprid and glyphosate, an herbicide that is relatively non-toxic to humans. One mango can supply all the vitamin C you need for a day. The anti-oxidant beta cartene gives the fruit its vibrant orange hue. Mangoes contain B vitamins, minerals such as potassium and proteolytic enzymes that aid and abet digestion.
[Courtesy of Daily Tribune Media Services]
[Courtesy of Daily Tribune Media Services]