How much of your groceries are produce? How much of your produce is organic? Organic crops contain 20% more antioxidants than conventional crops.
The reason organic crops have more antioxidants: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers (which are linked to serious illness and cancer), plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds.
Why this matters: Antioxidants help defend your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. When free radicals accumulate, they cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress accelerates aging and cell damage. Long term oxidative stress can cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue syndrome, infertility, asthma, and cancer. A persons diet is an important source of antioxidants. Produce such as green vegetables and colorful fruits provide vitamins and minerals the body cannot create on its own.
I recommend having veggies with every meal and 1-2 fruits per day. These foods feed your micro biome, the foundation of your health, and help your body heal itself.
In summary: Eat organic as much as possible. I know organic produce can be very expensive. Here are some foods you do not need to buy organic according to the Environmental Working Group: avocado, pineapple, frozen sweet peas, onion, papaya, sweet corn, eggplant, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, cauliflower, cantaloupe, mushrooms, and broccoli.