It’s well-documented that intensive farming practices involving pesticides and herbicides, can lead to human exposure through food consumption.

Key Findings in research include:
Pesticide and herbicide residues can persist on or within food products, even after washing and processing. This leads to direct ingestion by consumers.
Studies consistently detect pesticide residues in various food items, including fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Some pesticides can bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in the tissues of animals that consume feed with some pesticides in it. This can lead to higher concentrations of pesticides in meat, dairy, and other animal products.
Human bio-monitoring studies have detected pesticide residues in human blood, urine, and other bodily fluids, confirming that people are being exposed.

Health Impacts:
Research has linked pesticide exposure to a range of adverse health effects, including:
Neurological disorders,
Cancer,
Reproductive problems,
Endocrine disruption – this has been linked to the likelihood of type 2 diabetes or obesity. The key point is that, whatever the actual levels of chemicals in the food is from pesticides and herbicides, the food has a negative effect in the gut and the body. Whereas organic food is as nature intended. Here are more details of what it means with the amazing biodiversity & symbiosis, in organic soil. Which is teeming with life.

Enhanced Nutrient Uptake:
Symbiotic Relationships: beneficial bacteria, like mycorrhizae, form symbiotic relationships with plant roots.
Nutrient Cycling: these bacteria break down organic matter (manure, compost, dead plants) into forms that plants can absorb (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium etc).
Improved Water Absorption: soil biodiversity improves soil structure, enhancing water infiltration and retention, making nutrients more accessible to plants.

Increased Plant Health:
Disease Resistance: beneficial bacteria can suppress harmful pathogens, protecting plants from diseases.

Drought Tolerance: Healthy soil with good water retention helps plants withstand drought conditions.
Improved Stress Tolerance: a strong root system, supported by beneficial bacteria, helps plants withstand environmental stresses like heat and cold.

How Bacteria Influence Plant Nutrition:
Root Exudates: plants release substances called root exudates into the soil. These exudates provide food for beneficial bacteria.

Sugar Exchange:
In some cases, such as with mycorrhizal fungi, plants provide sugars to the fungi in exchange for increased nutrient and water uptake. This mutually beneficial exchange enhances plant growth and overall soil health.

Impact on Crop Nutritional Value:
Increased Nutrient Content: plants grown in healthy, biologically active soil tend to have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Improved Flavour: the enhanced nutrient content, often translates to improved flavour and taste in the final product.

Where to find more data: PubMed, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA).

In essence, a healthy soil ecosystem, teeming with diverse microbial life, creates a symbiotic relationship that benefits both plants, and the surrounding environment. This leads to more nutritious and flavourful crops, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that maintains soil health for future crops. This also leads to more support for wildlife, which helps to preserve a balanced ecosystem.

Remember, all pesticides and herbicides will activate your immune system which increases inflammation. Which can cause other issues especially if the immune system is overloaded, with unwanted substances in the food every day.

With organic food, what this means for the food we eat, is that energetically it is more nourishing and can literally leave you feeling happier, at the end of the meal. With more energy and a better state of mind.

In terms of organic food availability in the UK, there are a lot of options for home delivery. Some companies like Able & Cole deliver once a week. Others like Ocado, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and many more deliver 7 days a week. The range of what is available in fresh food is vast, from butternut squash to grapes. Also remember, some items are seasonal.