logo
episode-header-image
Jun 26
57m 52s

Are organic vegetables healthier for you...

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode

Melissa and Jam dive into the definition and implications of organic foods. They explore what organic means according to USDA standards, dissect common misconceptions about pesticide use, and discuss whether organic produce is actually healthier. This detailed analysis includes Melissa's scientific research process and draws on trusted sources to clarify the nuanced debate around organic foods. Learn about the importance of fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of whether they are organic, and get practical tips for washing produce to minimize pesticide residue.

00:00 Introduction and Recap
00:21 Discussing Organic Foods
00:46 Podcast Setup and Personal Anecdotes
01:41 Health and Diet Insights
04:12 Research and Credibility
07:59 Understanding Organic Standards
22:34 Organic Pesticides and Misconceptions
26:11 Scientific Pettiness and Review Articles
27:41 Engaging Media and Petty Scientists
29:19 Pesticide Residues in Organic vs. Non-Organic Foods
35:14 Nutritional Content of Organic Foods
38:44 Health Impacts and Misconceptions
43:47 Practical Advice and Final Thoughts
55:12 Listener Questions and Community Support

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

References from this episode:

  1. https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/articles/PMC5837313/
  2. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/colorectal-cancer-rising-younger-adultshttps://
  3. www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htmhttps://
  4. www.aap.org/en/patient-care/environmental-health/promoting-healthy-environments-for-children/food-safety/https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cen-v078n011.p011
  5. https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/articles/PMC7019963/#notes3
  6. https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/articles/PMC7146625/
  7. https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/articles/PMC7146577/
  8. https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/articles/PMC3546364/
  9. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007
  10. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-158-4-201302190-00018
  11. https://www.acs.org/education/chemmatters/past-issues/archive-2013-2014/genetic-organic-food.html
  12. https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/lawn-garden/agent-articles-fact-sheets-and-more/agent-articles/environment/organic-does-not-mean-pesticide-free.html
  13. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/pesticide-residue
  14. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/jf103902t

Thanks to our monthly supporters

  • Vince W
  • Julie S.
  • Heather R
  • Autoclave
  • Chelsea M
  • Dorien VD
  • Scott B
  • Jessie R
  • Ciara L
  • J0HNTR0Y
  • Jeannette N
  • Cullyn R
  • Erica B
  • Elizabeth P
  • Sarah M
  • Rachel R
  • Letila
  • Katrina B
  • Suzanne P
  • Venus R
  • Lyn S
  • Jacob T
  • Brian K
  • Emerson W
  • Kristina G
  • Timothy P
  • Steven B
  • Chris and Claire S
  • Chelsea B
  • Avishai B
  • Hunter R
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

Up next
Jul 3
What gives curly hair its curl?
#027 Rebroadcast Originally Published January 23, 2020 This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistry at first: hair. Curly hair to be specific. What makes hair curl? Also what is hair in the first place? Why can hair be so radica ... Show More
28m 18s
Jun 19
Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?
This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit. They aim to explain complex chemistry concepts in a manner even a 5-year-old could understand. Questions discussed include w ... Show More
30 m
Jun 12
Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?
Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyphosate. Prompted by a listener's question, they explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of glyphosate, including its effec ... Show More
34m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
2584: Is Coconut Sugar Healthy? Here’s What You Should Know by Sally Kuzemchak of Real Mom Nutrition
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2584:Sally Kuzemchak of RealMomNutrition.com demystifies the choice between organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, ... Show More
11m 40s
May 22
The truth about the 5 biggest wellness trends this spring | Liz Earle MBE & Dr. Federica Amati
This spring, are you bombarded by wellness trends promising miraculous results? From detox juices to the surprising popularity of beef tallow, it's easy to get swept up in the hype. But what if some of these "healthy" habits are doing more harm than good? Join us as we dive into ... Show More
53m 5s
Jul 2024
TMHS 812: The Terrifying Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods have become an increasingly large portion of the average American’s diet in recent decades. Should we worry about this radical shift and how it is impacting our biology? Today you’re going to learn the truth about ultra-processed foods and their effects on h ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2025
Recap: 3 essentials for healthy skin | Dr. Justine Kluk & Prof. Sarah Berry
In 2025, global spending on skincare products is expected to approach 200 billion dollars. It’s an astonishing figure, but not entirely surprising when you consider the social value we place on this organ. Our skin can reflect our age, health, and even our emotions. So, how can w ... Show More
13m 31s
May 8
Why the ‘big food’ industry is killing us – and how to fight back | Prof. Brian Elbel and Prof. Tim Spector
👀 Unwrap the truth 👉 Try the new ZOE app Why do we eat what we eat? It might feel like a personal choice, but hidden forces—industry tactics, government policies, and even cutting-edge food science—shape our decisions every day. In this episode, Professor Brian Elbel from NYU a ... Show More
1h 3m
Oct 2024
#268 6 strategies to make healthy eating easy for life with Professor Tim Spector
Is fruit juice just as bad as added sugar?What are the healthiest vegetables to eat for longevity?Is dairy helpful or harmful for our health?These are just some of the questions myself and Professor Tim Spector discuss on today’s podcast. It’s the third time we’ve sat down on the ... Show More
1h 33m
Apr 2024
How do you Make Peas Taste Great?
Have you ever wished that your peas could taste better? Perhaps you've avoided eating them because you don't like how they taste. Well, Christine Lewington, Founder and CEO of PIP International, the best tasting pea protein, is here to talk with us. You'll learn how pea protein i ... Show More
35m 23s
Nov 2024
Why Weight May Not Be the Whole Story on Health
Could our fixation on weight actually be harming, rather than helping, people’s health? Host Rachel Feltman is joined by Ragen Chastain, a writer, researcher and board-certified patient advocate, to discuss how weight stigma could be fueling many of the negative health outcomes w ... Show More
24m 41s
Nov 2024
Why Weight May Not Be the Whole Story on Health
Could our fixation on weight actually be harming, rather than helping, people’s health? Host Rachel Feltman is joined by Ragen Chastain, a writer, researcher and board-certified patient advocate, to discuss how weight stigma could be fueling many of the negative health outcomes w ... Show More
24m 41s
Nov 2024
The truth about expiry dates, freezing food and vegetable scraps | Carleigh Bodrug and Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
We waste a shocking 40% of the food we buy. We throw away foods like carrot tops, beet greens, and spent coffee grounds. These ‘food scraps’ stuff our landfills and drain our pockets. But we can eat these foods and many of them offer tons of healthy nutrients. Today’s guest is Ca ... Show More
1h 2m