WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 a question many people ask themselves while shopping for produce at grocery stores: should I buy organic?
Experts at say that buying organic is the best choice because it is better for your health, the environment and those who grow the food. Also, there is a diminished risk for pesticides exposure.
Earlier this month, Consumer Reports scientists and a Washington State University researcher analyzed data from the to determine the risk of pesticide exposure from eating fruits and vegetables from 14 different countries.
The researchers found that peaches and green beans are some of the most high-risk produce when it comes to pesticides exposure.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not realistic to expect we wouldn鈥檛 have any pesticides in our bodies in this day and age, but that would be the ideal,鈥� says Michael Crupain, director of聽Consumer Reports鈥� Food Safety and Sustainability Center, said in a news release. 鈥淲e just don鈥檛 know enough about the health effects.鈥�
Studies have linked long-term pesticide exposure to increased risk of聽Alzheimer鈥檚聽and Parkinson鈥檚 disease, prostate, ovarian and other聽cancers, as well as depression and respiratory problems, Consumer Reports says.
The analysis is based on the risk to a 3 1/2-year-old child because kids are especially vulnerable to the dietary risk from pesticides. The risk to adults would be lower, Consumer Reports says.
Fruits
Peaches and tangerines are the two most high-risk fruits, according to the Consumer Reports data. Researchers recommend always buying them organic and to be particularly cautious of peaches from Chile and the U.S., as well as tangerines from Chile, South Africa and the U.S.
Plums are high risk if they are from Chile, but scientists give the green light to buy conventional if the plum is from the U.S.
Researchers聽says shoppers should always buy organic for peaches, tangerines, nectarines, strawberries and cranberries.
Fruits such as watermelon, blueberries, grapes, raspberries, bananas, papayas and pineapples are considered low-risk fruits when it comes to pesticides exposure.
Vegetables
Green beans, sweet bell peppers and hot peppers are all veggies that Consumer Reports says shoppers should always buy organic. Buying the vegetables grown in Mexico, U.S. and Guatemala can be especially risky.
Vegetables such as winter squash and cucumbers are OK if from certain countries. For example, shoppers should buy organic if the winter squash is from the U.S., but it’s fine to buy conventional if it鈥檚 from Guatemala, Honduras or Mexico. Cucumbers from Mexico and the U.S. should be purchased organic, but if it is from Canada, it鈥檚 OK to buy conventional, the research says.
Researchers say shoppers should buy organic for green beans, sweet bell peppers, hot peppers, sweet potatoes and carrots.
Vegetable that Consumer Reports identified as low-risk for pesticides exposure include cauliflower, cilantro, green onions, broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, corn, avocado and onion.
No matter what produce you buy, it is always a good idea to wash it before eating, Consumer Reports says.
Watch a Consumer Reports video about the聽research:
Consumer Reports has a and more in its May issue.
