What are the most toxic conventional fruits and vegetables? This article discusses the 17 most toxic conventional fruits and vegetables.
These vegetables are toxic because of the pesticides and herbicides sprayed over them on traditional farms.
But don’t believe for a minute that there are just 17 toxic fruits and vegetables that are bad for you or that the foods that aren’t on this list are free and pure.
Any fruit or vegetable that isn’t labeled as ‘organic’ is contaminated with a chemical or another; the foods not listed here are only slightly less harmful to your health.
What Are The Most Toxic Conventional Fruits And Vegetables
1. Blueberries and Raspberries
These berries are popular with insects, and the fruit is so small that it can easily fall off the bush.
The berries are soaked in dangerous fertilizer to help them grow and stay strong, and they’re also treated with a special mix of pesticides to stop the bugs from eating them.
2. Potatoes
Potato seeds are sprayed with pesticides to keep bugs away from the sprouts, then herbicides to keep other plants away.
Every week, they’re exposed to chemicals for the whole growing season, which can lead to chemical buildup in the roots of each plant.
If you love eating these foods, it’s best to go for organic options or try growing your own organic or heirloom varieties.
Foods with thick rinds tend to be healthier than other types of food, and the best choices for this include onions, avocados, pecans, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplants, squash, sweet potatoes, etc.
3. Beans
Beans and lentils are the most common types of legumes, but kidney beans and fava beans are the most toxic.
Lima beans have a toxin called limarin that can only be killed if they’re cooked for at least 15 minutes, and kidney beans and other beans need to be cooked for 10 minutes before anything else, like slow cooking.
If you don’t get rid of these toxins, you could end up with severe stomach problems or even death.
Don’t let your pet eat raw beans – they can be deadly almost instantly, especially if it’s a bird. Canned beans are okay.
4. Apples
Pesticides stick to the skin of the apple and can seep into the flesh underneath. Wash the fruit thoroughly and peel it before eating.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms found in supermarkets are generally harmless to humans, except for those with a hypersensitivity reaction to fungi.
However, some individuals enjoy foraging in forests and other areas for wild mushrooms.
The majority of mushroom-related fatalities occur when humans consume the death cap mushroom, Ammonia phalloides, or destroy angel mushrooms by mistake.
If one is not an expert in identifying wild mushrooms, one should be cautious and avoid putting anything in their mouth.
6. Celery
According to research, on average, celery contains 64 chemicals that are hard to get rid of, and since celery is a plant that absorbs water (and toxins), do you want to know what’s in your blood after eating a stalk or two of celery?
7. Strawberries
Strawberries are by far the most chemical-intensive crop in California. In fact, strawberries grown in South America are likely to be even more contaminated due to restrictions in developing countries.
Some organic growers joke that traditionally produced strawberries can be ground and used as pesticides because they are so contaminated.
8. Green Potatoes
Organic potatoes are perfectly safe for you, as long as they don’t turn green.
When your spuds turn green, they’re a warning sign that the tubers now contain solanine, which can make you very sick.
9. Naturally Toxic
There are also some foods that have a lot of toxins in them before they’re even cooked.
Some of them don’t have as much toxic stuff in them when they’re cooked, but they still have some dangerous chemicals in them that can make you unhealthy.
10. Rhubarb
While the stalks add a delightful sweetness to pies and jams, make sure you don’t eat any of the leaves – the cramps and deaths really aren’t worth it.
11. Chocolate
Chocolate is safe for most people to consume, however, individuals with weakened immune systems may experience a severe gastrointestinal illness after consuming chocolate.
According to research, theobromine is a chemical found in chocolate that can be fatal for dogs and cats. Therefore, it is important to avoid sharing chocolate with pets.
13. Spinach
Spinach is so susceptible to insect attack that most farmers are required to spray it with (potentially fatal) chemicals in order to deter the pests.
It’s important to wash thoroughly before cooking.
14. Lettuce
Non-organic leafy greens like lettuce and kale contain more harmful chemicals than you can imagine.
It’s recommended that you should buy organic if you can’t grow your own greens.
15. Sweet bell peppers
Insects love crunchy so much, sweet veggies, and if you’re not buying organic, you’re eating all kinds of pesticides with every bite.
16. Nectarines
Nectarines are coated with the same chemicals as the peach cousins, but their skin is even thinner, allowing them to absorb more of the chemical.
17. Grapes
A single grape can be tested for 15 different pesticides. How many pesticides would you consume by eating a single grape?
18. Pears
Like apples, they are regularly fertilized to kill mites, flies, aphids, moths, and many other pests.
Peaches
If you like peaches, opt for canned ones instead of fresh ones. These juicy fruits are second only to celery in terms of toxin levels.
A Word From GetMe Treated
What are the most toxic conventional fruits and vegetables? Blueberries and Raspberries, Potatoes, Beans, Apples, Mushrooms, Celery, Strawberries, Chocolate, Spinach, etc.
It’s recommended to properly wash them before eating or cooking, regardless of their organic or conventional status, which can also help reduce some potential health risks.
FAQs Related To What Are The Most Toxic Conventional Fruits And Vegetables
What fruits and vegetables have the most chemicals in them?
Strawberries and spinach
Which fruits and vegetables are less toxic?
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Papaya
Are onions high in pesticides?
No. Onions have one of the lowest levels of pesticide residues
What fruits and vegetables should you not eat everyday?
- Bean sprouts
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Melons
- Mangoes
- Coconut
- Kale
What are the cleanest fruits and vegetables?
- Pineapple, onion and papaya
- Frozen sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Mango
- Sweet potatoes
- Watermelon
- Carrots
- Honeydew melon
Is pineapple high in pesticides?
The study found that 90% of the pineapples tested had no pesticide residue – partly due to the pineapples’ thick, edible skin, which acts as a natural barrier against pesticides.
What vegetables should not be eaten raw?
- Potatoes
- Red Kidney Beans
- Mushroom
- Eggplant
- French Beans
- Cruciferous Vegetables
Is watermelon a clean fruit?
Yes, avocados are one of the cleanest fruits to eat.
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