Pesticides

Corn is one of the most widely eaten foods in the world. It’s also incredibly versatile. You’ll find corn in baked goods and bread, popped as a snack, grilled on the cob, fed to cows, used to fuel cars, and as the base ingredient for a huge range of processed foods and additives. But is corn good for you? And how do you choose the healthiest corn to eat?

Strawberries are among the world’s favorite berries — and for good reason. Their taste can be divine, and they’re loaded with beneficial nutrients. But they also come with a few downsides, including health and environmental concerns. So is it a good idea to include strawberries in your diet? And if you do, what are the best ways to minimize the risks and potential harms while still taking advantage of their robust nutrition and health benefits?

Organic fruits and vegetables cost more than conventional ones — sometimes a lot more. But if you want to avoid pesticide exposure, is it always necessary to choose organic? Or are some conventional fruits and veggies less contaminated? In this article, we go in-depth into the Environmental Working Group’s US-based report on the twelve dirtiest and fifteen “cleanest” produce items of 2024, to help you make smart decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful pesticides.

Over 200 endangered species are threatened by the widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which are applied as seed coatings on major crops and have been linked to significant ecological harm. While the EPA has analyzed the impact of many pesticides, some researchers say the EPA’s analysis has gaps, and that the organization is choosing to ignore decades of research. This article looks at the failures of the EPA and the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of current regulatory frameworks in protecting endangered species and ecosystems from pesticides.

Wheat is one of the biggest sources of calories in the human diet. But is it good for you? Should you avoid gluten? What about all those carbs? And is there a difference between modern wheat and ancient grains in terms of nutrition and health?

Despite decades of medical research as part of a comprehensive “War on Cancer,” the disease is still the number two killer worldwide. The good news is, there are actions you can take to significantly reduce your cancer risk. And many of them are simple, inexpensive, and well within the reach of most people. In this article, we’ll explore 12 of the most effective ways to lower your chances of developing cancer.

Papayas are less well-known than some other tropical fruits. But they deserve just as much attention as, say, pineapples or mangoes. This article provides tips on how to select and use papayas, including how to pick a ripe one, how to cut and store them, and a variety of recipe ideas to incorporate papayas into your diet.

Avocados are a popular food loved by many. In fact, avocado consumption in the US has risen more than fourfold in the last 20 years. But how much do you know about this creamy green fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!)? Sure, it tastes good. But is it good for you? What are the health benefits of avocados? And are there any downsides you should know about?

According to food system investigators Stacy Malkan, Kendra Klein, and Anna Lappé, pesticide companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on deceitful PR strategies aimed at keeping their dangerous products on the market. Discover how Big Pesticide companies have deceived the public, encouraged lax regulations, and pumped out more pesticides than ever before — and how their practices threaten the health of people, the environment, and our food system.

Despite the dangers many pesticides pose, the US is still using pesticides that other countries have banned, sometimes for over a decade. See data from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting on which banned pesticides the US continues to use, as well as how much of each, separated by hazard level.

Olive oil gets a lot of great press as a health food. And olives are popular staples of Mediterranean cuisine, which is considered by many to be the world’s healthiest way of eating. But olives are very salty, and olive oil is basically 100% fat. So what’s the truth about this savory fruit? How can we separate fact from myth?

Over the past couple of decades, insect populations around the globe have plummeted. While that might sound lovely if you’re thinking about mosquitoes and no-see-ums, it’s actually putting us on a collision course with an environmental catastrophe. Without pollinating insects, our food supply is at risk. And without insects in general, the entire web of terrestrial life would likely collapse. So what’s causing the insect die-off, and what can we do to reverse it?