Why you need to eat organic

Make sure the fruits and vegetables you eat are organic.

People who are choosing nonorganic produce are increasing their risk of lung cancer—and researchers think it is down to the pesticides being sprayed on fruit and vegetables.

Researchers from the University of Southern California were puzzled by a strange phenomenon: young people under the age of 50—who were nonsmokers—were developing lung cancer, even though they were eating a healthy diet that included plenty of fruit and vegetables.  More women than men were being diagnosed with the cancer, and the researchers think this is because they eat more non-organic fruits and vegetables.

The suspicion that pesticides are the real culprit is fuelled by the fact that lung cancer rates are higher than average among agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to the chemicals.

The researchers analysed the diets and lifestyles of 187 people who were diagnosed with lung cancer before they were 50.  Most had never smoked, and they were diagnosed with a form of lung cancer that is biologically different from the type linked to smoking.

They also were eating a healthier diet than the average American consumes.  On average, they consumed 4.3 servings of dark green vegetable and legumes and 3.9 servings of whole grains daily. By comparison, the typical American eats 3.6 servings of dark green vegetables and legumes and 2.6 servings of whole grains a day.

But most were opting for nonorganic produce, the researchers found.

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