A study has found that vegetables and fruits, which are consumed daily for health, may actually increase exposure to harmful chemicals in the body. The study showed that people who frequently ate produce with high levels of pesticide residues had statistically significantly higher concentrations of pesticides detected in their urine. As pesticides are associated with cancer, reproductive issues, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity, caution is advised when consuming these foods.

On November 24, researchers from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in the United States announced in a paper published in the international journal 'International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health' that they had identified a correlation between specific produce consumption patterns and internal pesticide levels. Unlike previous analyses that only investigated residue levels, this study is notable for integrating participants' dietary surveys, urine test results, and produce residue data.

A shocking study has revealed that vegetables and fruits, which are consumed daily for health, may actually increase exposure to harmful chemicals in the body. Getty Images

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The research team combined produce pesticide residue data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 2013 to 2018 with dietary records and urine test results from 1,837 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In this process, the researchers calculated a "dietary pesticide exposure score" for each individual, reflecting their dietary composition and the residue levels of each item, and compared these scores with urine biomarker levels for 15 types across three classes: organophosphates, pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids.

The results showed that the group consuming more produce with high pesticide contamination had a marked increase in urinary pesticide concentrations. The researchers explained, "It was confirmed that differences in consumed items directly translate to differences in internal concentrations."

According to the study, items with high pesticide residue levels included spinach, strawberries, kale, grapes, peaches, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and potatoes.

On the other hand, items with relatively low residue levels were pineapple, corn, avocado, watermelon, papaya, cabbage, asparagus, frozen peas, bananas, and mangoes.

Dr. Alexis Temkin of the Environmental Working Group, who led the study, emphasized, "It remains essential to consume vegetables and fruits for health," but added, "However, since long-term consumption of high-risk items can increase the risk of chronic exposure, proper washing and selection strategies are necessary."

The EWG recommends consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, but advises purchasing organic options whenever possible for items with high pesticide contamination. In fact, switching from conventional produce to organic has been shown to significantly reduce internal pesticide levels within just a few days.

Washing kale under running tap water. Pixabay

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Additionally, experts recommend thoroughly scrubbing produce under running water, separating and washing leafy greens leaf by leaf, using a brush for hard skins, and peeling when possible.