Latest news with #Dozen
India Today
17-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
All about apples: Nutrition facts and health-boosting benefits
Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, and for good reason. Packed with nutrients, fibre, antioxidants, and flavour, apples can be a powerful addition to your daily diet. Here's a deep dive into what makes them so PROFILE OF APPLESA medium-sized apple contains around 95 calories, 4 grams of dietary fibre, and 14% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Apples also offer small amounts of potassium and B-complex vitamins, and are made up of approximately 86% water, making them naturally hydrating and HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLESThe mix of antioxidants, polyphenols, and dietary fibre in apples helps support multiple areas of health: Apples may help lower blood cholesterol levels, support healthy blood vessels, and reduce chronic inflammation—factors that are all essential for heart sugar regulation: Apples can help slow sugar absorption due to their fibre content and have been linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 prevention potential: Apples contain phytochemicals such as quercetin and catechin that have antioxidant properties. Early studies suggest they may help lower the risk of certain cancers, including colon, breast, and lung health: Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. Pectin, a type of soluble fibre found in apples, acts as a prebiotic by feeding beneficial gut APPLES VS. JUICE AND APPLE SAUCEThe health benefits of apples can vary significantly depending on how they are apples offer the most health benefits. They retain their full fibre content and are the most effective at promoting fullness and regulating blood juice is lower in fibre and has a higher glycaemic load. Most commercial juices are also stripped of many nutrients found in the peel and sauce retains some fibre, especially in unsweetened varieties, but still doesn't provide the same nutritional benefits as whole WAYS TO ENJOY APPLESApples are incredibly versatile and can be included in various meals and raw with nut butter for a healthy snackBake into muffins or oatmealToss into salads for natural sweetness and crunchRoast with vegetables or meats for added depth in flavorSEASONALITY AND STORAGE TIPSApples are harvested mainly in late summer through fall, but they are available all year thanks to modern storage keep apples fresh longer, store them in the refrigerator and away from other produce, as apples emit ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening of nearby fruits and AND CONSIDERATIONSAllergies: Some people may experience allergic reactions to raw apples due to pollen-related allergies. Cooking the apples often removes this Apples are frequently listed on the Environmental Working Group's 'Dirty Dozen' list for pesticide residues. If possible, buy organic or wash apples thoroughly before are more than just a crunchy snack—they are a nutrient-dense food that supports heart health, digestion, blood sugar balance, and more. For the best benefits, enjoy them whole and fresh, and pair them with other healthy habits in your diet- EndsMust Watch
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shoppers guide lists a dozen fruits and vegetables with pesticide residue
Eating more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet is a message often touted by health and nutrition experts. But does it matter which fruits and vegetables? Or whether those fruits or vegetables are organic or not? And does it make a difference if they were treated with pesticides? An annual list created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is billed as helping shoppers identify specific fruits and vegetables. However, another group has concerns with the list recommendations and questions its methodology. Since 2004, the EWG, a nonprofit advocacy group, has released its Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, containing a list of fruits and vegetables the group calls the "Dirty Dozen," or those deemed to have the most pesticide up with its annual list, the EWG said it reviewed pesticide residue data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on many fruits and vegetables.'EWG's Shopper's Guide is a tool to inform consumers and help them with their produce shopping choices, with the goal of everyone eating more fruits and vegetables,' said EWG Vice President for Science Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., in a news release. 'For people looking to reduce pesticide exposure, buying from the Clean Fifteen is a great place to start.' This year, the EWG list also reflected the overall toxicity of the detected pesticides. The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), which represents organic and conventional produce farmers, has long criticized EWG's annual list. 'We strongly support consumer choice when shopping for fruits and vegetables,' said Teresa Thorne, AFF's executive director, in an email to the Free Press. 'But this choice should not be influenced by this list, which peer-reviewed research has shown is not scientifically credible, nor are its recommendations supportable.' Instead, she said, consumers should be reassured by decades of toxicology studies, government data and nutrition research, which confirm the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables on health as well as the exceptional safety of both organic and conventionally grown produce. In addition, the AFF cited in its news release that the USDA's Pesticide Data Program (PDP) found that more than '99% of foods sampled had residue levels well below EPA safety standards.' Only 1 in 10 Americans eats enough fruits and vegetables daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Consumers can and should disregard these types of lists," said Dr. Sylvia Klinger, DBA, MS, RD, founder of Hispanic and Multicultural Nutrition Communications," per AFF's news release. 'Simply follow the advice of dietitians and health experts and choose to eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in the vitamins and antioxidants that help our bodies fight and prevent diseases, improve overall health and increase lifespan," Klinger states in AFF's news release. This year, the EWG list also reflected the overall toxicity of the detected its Dirty Dozen list, the group says 'more than 9 in 10 samples of conventional, or non-organic produce contained residues of potentially harmful pesticides.' Leading the Dirty Dozen list is spinach, followed by strawberries, a group of kale, collard and mustard greens, grapes and peaches rounded out the top five. According to the EWG, more than 50 different pesticides were found on samples of the Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables, except for cherries. The group's Dirty Dozen has two new additions — blackberries and or conventional blackberries and potatoes came in at No. 10 and No. 12, respectively, on the 2025 list. Blackberries, which were never before tested by the USDA, the EWG says, revealed '93% of samples had pesticide residues, for an average of four different pesticides per sample.' One of the four pesticides is cypermethrin, which the group says is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection were added to the list because the EWG found USDA data revealing samples containing chlorpropham, a sprout inhibitor. In 2019, the European Union banned chlorpropham, the EWG says, out of health concerns for farmers and consumers. The EWG's annual list also features the group's 'Clean Fifteen' or fruits and vegetables deemed by them to contain the least pesticides. The group touts that 60% of samples of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables on its Clean Fifteen list in the Environmental Working Group's new Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce had no 'detectable pesticide residues.'Consumers can follow these produce-washing steps provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at to help remove pesticide residue, dirt and bacteria. Wash fruits and produce with cold or warm running tap water. If needed, scrub fruits and produce with a brush, but do not use soap or detergents. Throw away the outer leaves of leafy vegetables like lettuce and cabbage. Clean hands, scrub brushes, utensils, cutting boards, colanders and sink before using to wash fresh fruits and vegetables. Spinach Strawberries Kale, collard and mustard greens Grapes Peaches Cherries Nectarines Pears Apples Blackberries Blueberries Potatoes Pineapples Sweet corn (fresh and frozen) Avocados Papaya Onion Sweet peas (frozen) Asparagus Cabbage Watermelon Cauliflower Bananas Mangoes Carrots Mushrooms Kiwi For a copy of the guide, go to Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Dirty Dozen' lists fruits and vegetables with pesticide residue
The Hill
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Hill
2 items added to ‘Dirty Dozen' list of most pesticide-contaminated produce
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) added blackberries and potatoes to its 'Dirty Dozen' list of produce containing the most residue of potentially harmful pesticides. Blackberries and potatoes landed in spots no. 10 and no. 12, respectively, on the updated list released Wednesday. They were added based on new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which tested blackberries for the first time in 2023. The USDA data found that 93 percent of blackberry samples had pesticide residues, with an average of four different pesticides per sample. More than half of blackberry samples contained residue of the pesticide cypermethrin — which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies as a possible human carcinogen. Potatoes landed on the list after USDA released new data showing 90 percent of samples contained chlorpropham, a chemical banned in the European Union because of health concerns. The legacy produce still topped the 'Dirty Dozen' list. Spinach ranked no. 1, with more pesticide residue by weight than any other type of produce, and strawberries followed as no. 2. 'Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens' collectively placed no. 3 — and EWG noted that more than half of kale samples were 'tainted' by a 'possibly cancer-causing pesticide.' The 'Dirty Dozen' list ranked grapes as no. 4, peaches as no. 5, cherries as no. 6, nectarines as no. 7, pears as no. 8, apples as no. 9, blackberries as no. 10, blueberries as no. 11 and potatoes as no. 12. The guide analyzed pesticide residue data from USDA tests of more than 53,000 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables, EWG said in a press release. The tests are conducted after the produce samples are washed, scrubbed or peeled, 'as is typical for each types of produce.' EWG said the pesticide residue remained on the produce, but washing fruits and vegetables 'remains an important step to reduce pesticide levels, dirt, and possible bacterial contamination.' EWG encourages consumers to buy organic produce if they do not want to avoid the 'Dirty Dozen' produce items. EWG also publishes a 'Clean Fifteen' list of produce with overall lower levels of toxicity. Pineapples led that list this year, followed by sweet corn (fresh and frozen), avocados, papayas and onion — as the top five produce items. Nos. 6-15 included sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, cabbage, watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, mangoes, carrots, mushrooms, and kiwi. EWG said nearly 60 percent of conventionally grown produce on the Clean Fifteen list had 'no detectable pesticide residues,' while more than 9 in 10 samples of produce on the 'Dirty Dozen' list contained residues of potentially harmful pesticides.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2025 produce ‘dirty dozen,' ‘clean 15' revealed
Spinach takes top dishonors in the 2025 'Dirty Dozen' list of nonorganic fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide contamination. The "2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce" is an annual report by the Environmental Working Group. The group also on Wednesday released its 'Clean 15″ list, noting 60% of those are 'free from harmful pesticides.' Nine in 10 samples on the dirty list contained pesticide residue, the group said. Per the news release, 'The overall toxicity is one of four factors EWG used to assess pesticides on produce. To calculate the overall pesticide toxicity for produce, EWG compared the average concentration of pesticide detected on fruits and vegetables to toxicological reference values – levels below which health harms are not expected." 'The updated methodology reflects important aspects of pesticide exposure for people,' said Dayna de Montagnac, an EWG associate scientist. 'Our research takes into account the potency of each chemical and can help shoppers reduce their overall pesticide burden.' The list has been produced annually for decades, but is not without critics. The Alliance for Food and Farming, which represents organic and conventional produce farmers, sent out a news release noting that the 'dirty dozen list recommendations cannot be substantiated.' 'There is growing concern about the impact of inaccurate safety fears becoming a barrier to increased consumption of produce,' the alliance said. 'One peer-reviewed study found that when low-income consumers were exposed to 'Dirty Dozen" list messaging, they stated they were less likely to purchase any produce — organic or conventional." Alexis Temkin, EWG vice president of science, told CNN the goal is not to get people to skip eating fruits and vegetables, which are important to a nutrient-rich diet. Rather, it's to help families decide whether to buy organic versions of certain fruits or vegetables. 'The guide is there to help consumers eat a lot of fruits and vegetables while trying to reduce pesticide exposure,' Temkin said. 'One of the things that a lot of peer-reviewed studies have shown over and over again (is) that when people switch to an organic diet from a conventional diet, you can really see measurable levels in the reduction of pesticide levels in the urine.' The group said it analyzed 47 items to come up with the 12 it called most contaminated by pesticides. EWG also noted that the analysis didn't include risk assessment, weighting all pesticides equally, nor did it 'factor in the levels deemed acceptable by the EPA.' Spinach Strawberries Kale, collard and mustard greens Grapes Peaches Cherries Nectarines Pears Apples Blackberries Blueberries Potatoes The group said the average American eats about eight pounds of strawberries a year. Blackberries made their debut this year on the dirty dozen, as did potatoes, which are the 'most consumed vegetable in the U.S.' As for No. 1, according to EWG, 'Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable, making it a staple for healthy eating. But it also has more pesticide residues by weight than any other type of produce — three-fourths of non-organic, or conventional samples are contaminated with a neurotoxic insecticide, permethrin, which is banned from use on food crops in Europe." EWG said it used tests conducted by the Department of Agriculture to rank the fruits and vegetables. It notes the most recent tests of spinach, however, were conducted in 2016. Asked if that was correct, an EWG spokesman reiterated for Deseret News the methodology in the report: 'This year's guide incorporates data from a total of more than 53,000 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables. EWG uses USDA data for non-organic samples of fruits and vegetables from the most recent sampling periods, which typically spans one to two years for each item. For example, to analyze residues on spinach, we used 1,295 samples the USDA collected between 2015 and 2016, as that's the most recent data range for that type of produce.' EWG also pointed out that most of the pesticides found on conventional spinach samples were 'sanctioned as legal and safe' by the Environmental Protection Agency, but note that permethrin at high doses creates health risks, including increased chance of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. The items with the least amount of pesticide in the EWG report were: Pineapples Sweet corn (fresh and frozen) Avocados Papaya Onion Sweet peas (frozen) Asparagus Cabbage Watermelon Cauliflower Bananas Mangoes Carrots Mushrooms Kiwi The alliance reported that 'the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Pesticide Data Program consistently finds that over 99% of foods sampled had residue levels well below EPA safety standards with 40% having no detectable residues at all." Still, public health experts say fresh produce should be cleaned, including the fruits and vegetables that have peels that will not be consumed. Advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safely consuming produce: Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after handling fresh produce. Cut away damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating. Rinse produce BEFORE you peel it. Otherwise, that knife could transfer contamination. Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. You do not need to use soap. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub produce such as melons and zucchini. Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel. That can remove even more bacteria. Remove the outermost leaves of cabbage or lettuce, which are potentially exposed to more contamination. The alliance said not to use soaps or detergents, which can create their own issues.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Avoid These 12 Fruits and Vegetables If You're Worried About Pesticides
The EWG's 2025 Shopper's Guide identifies the 'Dirty Dozen' and 'Clean Fifteen' based on USDA tests of over 53,000 fruit and vegetable samples, ranking them by pesticide presence, frequency, concentration, and toxicity. The 'Dirty Dozen' includes produce such as spinach, strawberries, and grapes, with 96% of samples showing pesticide residues—many with over 50 different pesticides detected. The 'Clean Fifteen' features items like pineapple, avocado, and sweet corn, with nearly 60% of samples showing no detectable pesticide residue and very low overall pesticide and vegetables are the MVPs of your diet thanks to their vitamins, minerals, and health-boosting nutrients. However, despite their impressive nutritional profiles, some produce carry high concentrations of pesticide residue that can negate those benefits. Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce ranks fruits and vegetables according to their pesticide residue levels, helping you make informed choices about what to buy and eat. Quick primer: Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) used to kill or control pests, including insects, weeds, fungi, and rodents. They are commonly used to protect the agriculture of fruits and vegetables and to repel unwanted organisms that may carry disease. The chemicals are applied when growing produce or after it is harvested, though many pesticides remain on items when they reach your kitchen. Pesticides are used to protect crops, but they can be notably harmful to human health. Research suggests that pesticides may disrupt hormones, affect fertility, reduce ovarian function, and diminish sperm quality. They may also increase the risk of breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Related: A New Study Says Washing Produce Does Not Remove Pesticides — Here's What to Do Instead Given the facts, it is crucial to reduce your exposure to pesticides, says EWG Vice President for Science Alexis Temkin, PhD. 'The EWG's Shopper's Guide is a tool to inform consumers and help them with their produce shopping choices, with the goal of a diet rich in more fruits and vegetables but low in pesticide residue,' she says. To simplify grocery shopping, the EWG created the Clean Fifteen, representing items with the least pesticide residue, and the Dirty Dozen, which represents produce with the highest residue. The guide has been published since 2004, but this year's edition not only examines the number, presence, and amount of pesticides on produce, but also evaluates their toxicity to humans, Temkin says. Here's a closer look at the EWG's Shopper's Guide results, along with tips on how to effectively reduce your risk of pesticide exposure. The EWG Shopper's Guide evaluated data from pesticide residue tests conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on more than 53,000 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables, Temkin says. Prior to testing, all produce samples were washed for 15 to 20 seconds under running water, and inedible peels — such as those on citrus and bananas — were removed, she explains. Related: How Important Is It Really to Wash Your Fruits and Veggies? Even after this preparation, traces of 256 pesticides were still found on all the tested fruits and vegetables. Consequently, the EWG categorizes fruits and vegetables into two groups — Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen — based on pesticide toxicity, as well as their detected frequency and concentrations. According to the EWG's analysis of the USDA data, the following pesticides were found on the 47 fruits and vegetables tested. Fungicides: Fungicides such as pyrimethanil and fludioxonil are specifically designed to control or eliminate fungal diseases. Pyrethroids: Pyrethroids, such as permethrin and cypermethrin, are synthetic pesticides developed to repel pests, including mosquitoes, flies, gnats, spiders, and ants. Neonicotinoids: Neonicotinoids, such as acetamiprid and imidacloprid, are similar to nicotine (a naturally occurring insecticide) and are designed to manage pests and insects, including aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Nearly 60% of Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables showed no detectable pesticide residue, and only 16% of samples contained residues of two or more pesticides. No sample from the top six Clean Fifteen items (pineapple, sweet corn, avocado, papaya, onion, and sweet peas) had residues of more than three pesticides. Bananas, a new member of the Clean Fifteen list, also had one of the lowest overall pesticide toxicity levels among the tested fruits and following 15 types of produce had the lowest pesticide residue levels of all 47 types sampled, according to the EWG's analysis of the most recent USDA data. Pineapple Sweet corn (fresh and frozen) Avocados Papaya Onions Sweet peas (frozen) Asparagus Cabbage Watermelon Cauliflower Bananas Mangoes Carrots Mushrooms Kiwi Pesticides were found on 96% of samples from all 12 types of produce. A total of 203 pesticides were detected on the Dirty Dozen, with samples of every type of produce (except cherries) showing more than 50 pesticides. Every item, except for potatoes, had an average of four or more pesticides detected in individual samples, while potatoes averaged the 47 items tested, the following 12 fruits and vegetables were found to be the most contaminated with pesticides, according to the EWG's analysis of the latest USDA data. Spinach Strawberries Kale, collard, and mustard greens Grapes Peaches Cherries Nectarines Pears Apples Blackberries Blueberries Potatoes ***Bell peppers, hot peppers, and green beans were also included on the Dirty Dozen list due to their overall pesticide toxicity. 'First and foremost, we want to make sure shoppers are getting lots of fruits and vegetables into their diet, whether that is conventionally or organically grown,' Temkin says. To reduce pesticide exposure, Temkin recommends buying either organic or conventional versions of produce (fresh or frozen) from the Clean Fifteen list, as well as organic versions of items on the Dirty Dozen whenever possible. Related: RFK Jr. Wants to 'Make America Healthy Again' — Here's What That Means for You You do not have to avoid eating foods listed in the Dirty Dozen, organic options just have lower pesticide residue, Temkin says. This is because research found organic produce has lower exposure to synthetic pesticides. Furthermore, all produce should be thoroughly washed for at least 15 seconds under running water before consuming. Although water does not eliminate all pesticide residue, Temkin says it significantly decreases the amount of pesticides while also removing dirt, debris, and potentially harmful bacteria. Read the original article on Food & Wine
