Everything comes with a price. Farmers and hobby gardeners who have long used Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides to kill the pests and weeds living in or on their crops are starting to realize the long-term effects of these chemicals. If you want your produce to sustain your health, rather than bring about illness, learn more about the dangers of glyphosate.
How Glyphosate Herbicides Work
Even if you’ve never gardened or looked much into the food industry, glyphosate affects you. This herbicide is so common that it’s used on much of the world’s food supply.
Glyphosate works non-selectively to kill pests and other dangers to plants and produce. It can be applied directly to plant leaves, where it kills unwelcome organisms and weeds. Unfortunately, it can also affect the plants that it is intended to protect, leading to stunted plant growth.
Glyphosate must be regularly applied to sustain plant growth. As a result, there may be significant quantities present on produce by the time it hits the farmer’s market or grocery stores. Even if you wash your produce well, your fruits and veggies could be full of glyphosate. Now there’s some extra seasoning you don’t want!
Herbicides in Other Countries
Herbicides containing glyphosate first came into use in the 1970s. They were quickly approved for use in a variety of countries. As the negative health effects of glyphosate came to light, several countries were quick to ban this toxic herbicide. Currently, glyphosate is banned in the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, South Africa, and France.
Why is glyphosate—in particular, Monsanto-produced Roundup—so controversial? Research doesn’t favor the use of this chemical cocktail. Scientific American reports that ingredients found in Roundup can intensify the toxicity of herbicides and pesticides, leading to damage to human cells.
Considering that damage can occur even at residual levels of consumption, who knows what Roundup can do to the health of children, whose bodies may be too small to efficiently flush out toxins?
Keeping Glyphosate Out of Your Food
Since glyphosate is still approved for use as an herbicide in the United States, it may be difficult to avoid glyphosate-tainted food. However, if you’re conscious of what you buy and consume, you can keep this toxin out of your body.
The best way to say “no” to glyphosate is to buy organic, non-GMO produce. Though GMO labeling is not required in the United States, many organic and non-GMO farmers choose to label their food with these traits. These farmers often eschew Monsanto products and herbicides. As a bonus, you may enjoy tastier produce.
It can be helpful to build relationships with local farmers at your farmer’s market. You can find out what pest control methods they use and choose only to purchase from those who do not use glyphosate. This also minimizes the transport time of your food, getting it to your table quicker.
Until the United States catches up to other countries and bans glyphosate, it’s up to you to protect your family. Keep this herbicide out of your food and enjoy your health!
http://buynongmoseeds.com/why-the-netherlands-just-banned-monsantos-glyphosate-based-herbicides/
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphotech.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/weed-whacking-herbicide-p/
