Introduction
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that is frequently found in foods. It is the active ingredient in the widely used weed killer, RoundUp, and has been linked to a number of health concerns. Here in the US, the chemical is still allowed to be used to control weeds and pests, even in agricultural areas where food is grown. However, in Europe, the use of this harmful chemical has been banned by several countries, including Austria, France, and Germany, and the European Union as a whole is expected to decide whether or not there will be a widespread ban amongst the EU countries.
Even if lawmakers in the US have not taken any active steps toward banning glyphosate in this country, it is important for the public to understand the risks that it poses to their and their families health, as well as the environmental impacts. Below are the top 5 reasons you should actively try to avoid glyphosate in foods and how to do it.
1.) Glyphosate is a probable carcinogen
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. According to a recent analysis published by researchers from the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), “Exposure to glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, increases the risk of a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 41 percent.” (source)
Studies are continuously being done to confirm whether or not glyphosate is a carcinogen, but when it comes to my family’s health and safety, I’m not willing to wait around and see what the final determination is. In my opinion, enough studies have been done to prove that it does indeed increase a person’s risk of certain cancers. The fact that the EU as a whole is seriously considering implementing a widespread ban is another tell-tale sign that Americans need to be aware of this issue and take actions to protect themselves.
This is one of the biggest reasons why my family eats organic, whole foods as much as possible, since conventionally grown foods are more likely to be contaminated with the toxic herbicide. For a list of the “dirtiest” (containing the most herbicide residue) and “cleanest” (containing the least amount of herbicide residue) foods, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen publication to see which foods you should always buy organic and which are safe to buy conventionally grown.
2.) Glyphosate is a known endocrine disruptor
Glyphosate has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system, which can lead to a range of health problems, including infertility, developmental delays, and immune system disorders. According to an article published in 2020 by the organization, US Right to Know, glyphosate has “eight out of ten key characteristics associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals.”
The definition of an endocrine disruptor chemicals on the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ website is, ” Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of the endocrine system. These chemicals are associated with a wide array of health issues.” The hormones that regulate our endocrine system are essential for important biological processes to take place, such as normal growth, fertility, and reproduction. Even a small disruption in the make up and/or function of these hormones can lead to “significant developmental and biological effects.” (source)
Although there are several other chemicals other than glyphosate that are considered to be endocrine disruptors, including atrazine, BPA, PFAs, perchlorate, and triclosan, eliminating your exposure to glyphosate by being mindful of the foods you buy and not using glyphosate-based weed killers around your yard and garden will help reduce your exposure and get you on a path to better health.
3.) Glyphosate is bad for the environment and the food chain
Glyphosate is harmful to the environment, as it can leach into groundwater and harm aquatic life. It has also been shown to harm beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies. Aside from the ethical problem of harming animal and plant life, there are also dire consequences for the food chain as a whole.
In 2005, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations expressed their concerns with the widespread use of glyphosate-based herbicides on the food chain. At that time, research was showing that, ” … glyphosate residues can stick around in water and soil for several months, maybe even years. That means it has the potential to build up to higher levels in the environment with each use. ” (source)
How does this impact the food chain? Even at microscopic levels, every building block of the food chain is important. If just one organism is getting profoundly affected by the use of glyphosate-based herbicides, it can impact all the other species and organisms higher up on the food chain that depend on them as food or habitats. For example, studies have shown that in bees, “… glyphosate may affect their learning and increases how much time it takes for them to find their hives – impacts that could have long-term consequences for colony health.” Glyphosate has also been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome in bees, making them more susceptible disease.
As pesky as they can be sometimes at picnics and other outdoor outings, bees are absolutely crucial to form and function of the ecosystem. Bees pollinate our food supply- everything from broccoli, carrots, and kale, to apples, raspberries, tomatoes, and more. They are also responsible for pollinating the food supply of the animals that we eat, making bees absolutely essential in our ability to have eggs, dairy, and meat products.
Our very existence depends on the livelihood and survival of bees and other lower level food chain organisms. This is why public awareness and education on the negative impacts of using glyphosate-based herbicides is so important.
4.) Can lead to toxicity in humans
Glyphosate has been linked to toxicity in humans, which can manifest as symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Agricultural workers, landscapers, and those living close to farmlands that use glyphosate-based herbicides on their plants and crops are at a greater risk for this toxic exposure and the potential side effects. Over time, this toxicity in the body can build up, leading to much greater health issues than the symptoms noted above.
5.) Contamination of the food supply
Glyphosate is frequently found in foods, including many that are not genetically modified. This means that even if you are not intentionally consuming genetically modified foods (GMOs), you may still be exposing yourself to glyphosate residue.
According to an article by the Environmental Working Group, there has been an increasing trend to spray non-genetically modified crops with glyphosate-based herbicides right before they are harvested, in an effort dry out the plants quicker so that they can be harvested earlier, rather than allowing them to go through a natural harvest cycle. Some of the crops most affected by this practice include wheat, barley, oats, and beans, which just happen to be pantry staples in a lot of modern households. To avoid this, whenever possible, buy these types of pantry staples certified organic, as certified organic foods are not allowed to be sprayed by these types of chemicals at any stage of their life cycle or production.
Conclusion
Given these concerns, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with glyphosate and to take steps to reduce yours and your family’s exposure. This can include choosing organic foods, washing your fruits and vegetables prior to consumption, avoiding processed foods that may contain glyphosate as a residue, utilizing homemade or certified environmentally friendly and bee-safe weed sprays, and supporting policies that restrict the use of glyphosate in agriculture and other industries.
Resources
Sunday Yard & Garden
If you are looking for a great environmentally friendly and bee, human, and pet-safe grass fertilizer, weed killer, and other garden products, check out Sunday. We love to use Sunday products because we have children and a dog that we want to keep safe while playing in the yard, as well as protect the overall environment. You can find their products on Amazon.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash
If you are looking for a safe and effective fruit and vegetable wash, I highly recommend the Biokleen Natural Produce Wash, which is what I have been using in my home for years. I love that the product is super concentrated, so a little bit goes a long way. The concentrated formula helps make the product last, keeps my produce fresher, longer, which reduces waste and keeps my wallet happy. I have been able to find Biokleen products at my local health food store and on Amazon.
Perfect Supplements
If you use whole food supplements to support yours and your family’s health and wellness needs, I highly recommend you check out Perfect Supplements. The Perfect Supplements brand of products are certified glyphosate residue free and undergo rigorous testing to get this certification by The Detox Project. I only use their brand of grass-fed Gelatin, Collagen Peptides, and Desiccated Liver because I love how pure and safe they are for my family. If you decide to check them out, they have given me a 10% off discount code to share with my readers, which is GLOWING10, to use at checkout.
If you’re looking for delicious ways to incorporate more gelatin and collagen peptides into your diet, check out these recipes!
Baked Cinnamon Coconut Donuts
Easy, Healthy, Dairy-free Fudgsicles
Lemon-lime Gummies
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