Does Eating Organic Foods Benefit Diabetes?

Whether eating more organically grown foods will help alleviate an individual’s symptoms of diabetes is impossible to say.

What can be said is that eating more organic food may safeguard the well being of our children, their children, and our planet. This is evident through common sense, and a growing pile of credible research.

This research does not prove that the herbicides and pesticides sprayed on food cause chronic illnesses. However, research reveals a strong correlation between the increased use of certain chemicals on our food supply, and the increased incidence of many illnesses such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.

Diabetes and Glyphosate

For instance, from 1980 to 1994 there was a steady, slow increase of diabetes incidence in the U.S., from about 2.8 percent of the population to about 3.2 percent. It appeared that by 2010, if the trend continued, the percentage would rise to 3.5—but something drastically altered this trend.

Beginning in the mid 1990s there was a sharp surge in the planting of GMO (genetically modified) crops, and the use of a herbicide called glyphosate. The production of glyphosate-laced GMO corn and soy crops in the U.S. rose exponentially from 1996 to 2010.

During this same time span - when GMO and glyphosate use were increasing (mid 90s to 2010) - individuals in the U.S. diagnosed with diabetes rose from about 3.3 percent of the total population to 6.4 percent, nearly double the pre-1994 prediction.

This unexpected spike in diabetes cases that correlate to the increased use of glyphosate, holds true for several other chronic diseases as well, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, obesity, autism, kidney failure, and certain cancers.

Again, this data analysis, reported in the Journal of Organic Systems, does not prove causation, only correlation. However, the list of diseases examined by researchers can be directly linked to the known biological effects of glyphosate.

Avoiding Toxic Chemicals

The only way to avoid ingesting chemicals such as glyphosate - if avoiding them is your choice - is purchasing foods grown organically. One of the easiest ways to begin consuming more organic foods is to buy organic versions of the items found on the “dirty dozen plus” list.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the “dirty dozen plus” are 14 foods discovered to carry the highest pesticide load. The 14 items are apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, potatoes, hot peppers, and blueberries.

By consuming organic versions of these foods you and your family can reduce exposure to toxic food sprays, and contribute to the water and soil health of our beautiful planet.

Sources: Real Food Houston; Organic Systems Journal; Dr. Weil
photo credit: Michigan Municipal League