Should You Buy Organic Apples?
By Sara Butler
It’s apple season, which is great news for all! Apples are incredibly healthy for you since they’re packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The problem is they might also be packed with a few things you don’t want, such as pesticides. Before picking up some apples this fall, you might want to consider why organic is the way to go!
Pesticides
Organic apples have a lot fewer pesticides in them than non-organically grown ones. Conventionally grown apples tend to have very high levels of pesticide residue in them. Even washed apples retain some pesticides – so that won’t do as much good as you think!
Why is this so important? Well, some pesticides can impact your health. A group of pesticides commonly used on apples, called organophosphates, can interfere with the function of the central nervous system. This can include symptoms such as:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
These symptoms are often found in people that actually handle the pesticides – but that’s a big chance to take with you and your family’s health.
They’re Environmentally Friendly
The way organic apples are grown are better for the environment. That’s because farmers pick the type of apple they grow based on how adaptable they are to the environment. That means the apples grown are naturally suited to survive in the climate they’re being grown in. Organic farmers also use pest management tactics that don’t use a ton of chemicals that can then make their way to the soil and water nearby.
They Taste Better
If nothing else about organic apples appeals to you, their taste certainly will. That’s because they just taste better! The higher antioxidant levels found in organic fruit such as apples produce a more powerful flavor. This can be traced back to the soil the fruit is grown in and how the plant itself responds to environmental stresses.
In Season, They’re Affordable
A lot of people shy away from organics due to price, but here’s a tip: When a food is in season, it’s usually cheaper. Organic apples in fall are some of the most affordable fruits out there, so don’t let the price deter you!
Feel free to stock up on organic apples now to get you through the winter. You can make apple butter in your slow cooker or even freeze raw apples to use later.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Durham, N.C.