Every year common foods are rated in terms of how contaminated they are with pesticides. You can use 'The Dirty Dozen' the most contaminated and the least contaminated 'The Clean Fifteen', as a guide in how to limit pesticide exposure. These pesticides have been identified as 'harmful to health' but in particular female fertility, male fertility and the health of unborn babies and young children
So how do we avoid/limit them to support fertility and the health of your future family?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) have focused on the 'Dirty Dozen', highlighting 12 of the most contaminated foods. The UK version (Pesticide Action Network PAN) is similar but unfortunately runs a few years behind. Buying organic means these foods are as pesticide free as possible. See the 2024 list below.
'The Dirty Dozen'
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green Beans
'The Clean 15' is a list of the least contaminated (not contamination free). These foods don't necessarily have to be organic. I still recommend thoroughly washing them
Carrot
Sweet Potato
Mango
Mushroom
Watermelon
Cabbage
Kiwi
Melon
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (Frozen)
Papaya
Onions
Avocado
Pineapple
Sweetcorn
Tips:
Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly. Bowl of water with apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes and towel dry. Click the link for the apple cider vinegar I use, which contains 'The Mother'.
Buy local and seasonal vegetables that don't have to be sprayed as heavily as fruit and vegetables that need to travel long distances.
If you eat a food group from the Dirty Dozen then prioritise purchasing organic if possible or follow washing guidelines above.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables as they are likely to be frozen within an hour of picking therefore won't be sprayed with fungicides to prevent mould during travel
FEMALE FERTILITY AND PESTICIDES
Persistent Organic Pollutants including food pesticides has been linked to:
Endometriosis
Increased miscarriage rates
Infertility
Early exposure prior to menarche has been associated with early menopause, PCOS and uterine fibroids
Decreased fertilization rates in an IVF setting
MALE FERTILITY AND PESTICIDES
In men pesticides are linked to:
Decreased sperm concentration and sperm motility.
Exposure and intake can be related to decreased testosterone production. Decreased testosterone levels will have other impacts like decreased libido, decreased muscle mass, low energy, etc.
Unfortunately our governments are allowing excessive chemicals to enter our food chain so we can mass produce food, cheaply but it comes at a cost. It's no longer ok to ignore or block out these facts, it's time to act because if you don't no-one else will.
Aisling Fourie
Fertility Nutritionist
Specialising in female and male fertility
BSc(Hons), Dip NT (CNM), mBANT, mCNHC
Affiliate links #Ad for products linked
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