Unlike pesticide-laden conventional food, organic produce is more natural, healthier, and better for you...right? Organic food does contain less synthetic pesticides. But the natural pesticides that replace them can also have harmful effects. For example, the organic pesticide copper sulfate is more toxic than some synthetic pesticides, and it can cause
genetic mutations, cancer, liver disease, and anemia. No matter what you choose to eat, both conventional and organic produce can expose you to low levels of pesticides. Before you forswear all greens, however, bear in mind that low pesticide levels aren't the worst thing in the world. At her Science Sushi blog on Scientific American's network, Christie Wilcox explains
that a little bit of pesticide exposure can actually be good for you.
While it might seem that decreasing exposure to pesticides in any way could only be good for you, toxicologists would differ. Contrary to what you might think, ...
