Glyphosate is lurking in more foods than you might think. Find out what it is, and why you should be concerned.
Many people don’t think eating organic is a big deal — but, in reality, it’s a huge deal. When you eat non-organic foods, you expose your body to various toxic chemicals. These chemicals can affect your health and put your body at risk.
There’s currently one particular chemical hiding in tons of food right now that’s causing a big problem. It’s even included in foods labeled as “natural.”
Meet glyphosate, the active ingredient in the world's most widely used herbicide. This chemical absorbs into your food and silently wreaks havoc on your body. Studies are linking glyphosate to several health issues, and its side effects are seriously alarming. It’s not something I want to mess around with — and I’m betting the same goes for you.
But it’s not just food. Lawn care products can be just as dangerous. Many weed and grass killers, pest sprays and more contain glyphosate. So your yard may be bug- and weed-free, but you’re still exposing your body to harm.
On the bright side, there are three surefire ways you can avoid this nasty chemical and protect yourself — and even more ways to detox it from your body. Before we go into that, I want to explain what glyphosate is, why it’s used, and why you should think it over.
What Is Glyphosate and Why Does It Matter?
One of the most commonly used herbicides in the U.S. is Roundup. This herbicide contains a concoction of strong and toxic chemicals — one of which is glyphosate, which is actually the main active ingredient in Roundup.
People wear protective masks and suits when they apply Roundup to crops because inhaling it is dangerous. So my question is, why are we spraying this on our food? If it’s too hazardous to inhale, why are we allowing it to be absorbed into the food we eat?
Roundup is used to speed up the process of growing crops, getting rid of weeds and repelling insects. This may sound great at first, but it’s not. This cocktail of chemicals harms our environment and our bodies.
Here are some foods you can find this chemical in:
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Pasta
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Cereal
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Meat
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Oats
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Beans & Legumes
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Rice
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Wheat
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Corn
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Fruits
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Vegetables
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Snack Bars
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Juices
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Dairy Products
The scary part is that the list could keep on going. Luckily, you can eat those same foods worry-free when you choose organic. But food isn’t the only problem with glyphosate.
A majority of lawn care products and pest repellents contain glyphosate. This is also a big contributing factor to glyphosate exposure. High exposure to glyphosate can cause many serious health issues you deserve to know about.
The Risks of Glyphosate
We’ve been made to believe that herbicides are wonderful and useful products that can make our lives easier. But they’re doing the exact opposite. Instead, they make us sick and cause pain and suffering.
Here are a few side effects of glyphosate:
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Can Disrupt Hormones: This chemical is an endocrine disruptor that negatively affects your hormones and thyroid. Glyphosate also has high estrogenic activity, which increases estrogen in the body, causing risks for breast cancer.
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Damages Gut Health: Glyphosate kills off the good bacteria in your gut, disturbing how your stomach was meant to operate. This then would affect your gut health and immune health.
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Causes Neurological Issues: Glyphosate has been linked to increased oxidative stress. This is very dangerous because oxidative stress plays a big role in the development of several neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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Increases Cancer Risk: There have been numerous lawsuits against Roundup due to the rise of cancer in those who use it. Glyphosate causes oxidation in DNA, which can lead to cellular mutations and causing cancer.
The last thing you want for you and your family is to end up suffering from the dangerous effects of glyphosate. So here are three ways you can eliminate this harmful chemical from your life.
How to Steer Clear of Glyphosate
Now that you understand the risks, I want to share three ways you can say goodbye to glyphosate for good.
1. Buy Organic Foods
Most non-organic crops are heavily sprayed with Roundup, which means those foods are coated in glyphosate. But, the good news is that organic farming prohibits synthetic herbicides like Roundup, making organic foods a far safer choice.
While some organic foods can contain trace amounts of glyphosate due to neighboring farms and cross-contamination, the levels are significantly lower than those in non-organic foods. This is the unfortunate reality of today's agriculture, but it's a huge step in the right direction and an improvement from the crops sprayed with pesticides.
So, try to purchase organic as much as possible, especially when it comes to high-risk foods like oats, grains, beans and legumes.
2. Ditch the Lawn Care Products
Weeds and bugs can be a pain, so most people run straight to weed-killer and pest sprays. They don’t realize that most conventional lawn care products are full of glyphosate.
Every time you spray these products in your yard, the chemicals don’t just disappear. Glyphosate lingers in soil, can seep into groundwater, and can be easily tracked into your home. This is definitely a concern for pets and children who play outside often, as they are exposed to these toxic chemicals.
Instead of using these products, you can opt for natural vinegar-based weed killers, pulling weeds manually or mulching over them. For pest control, you can use essential oils and natural bug sprays instead of treating your entire lawn.
By switching to natural lawn care methods, you’ll protect the environment and keep yourself and your family safe.
3. Eat Out Less & Cook More
An easy way to reduce your glyphosate exposure is to control what’s on your plate. Try to eat out at restaurants less often and make more home-cooked meals. This way, you can choose exactly what ingredients you use, such as organic and glyphosate-free.
Cooking can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself. Try meal prepping, making one-pan meals and using a slow cooker more often. Check out my recipe blog for some simple, healthy and nourishing meal ideas.
When you eat out, you can try to find places that source their ingredients from local or organic farms. You can also avoid dishes that may contain high-risk foods for glyphosate.
Take Control of Your Health
Just because glyphosate is so widely used doesn't mean you have to accept it. By choosing organic foods, ditching lawn products and cooking more at home, you can keep yourself and your family away from all the nasty side effects.
If you’re looking for more health tips to help you achieve a cleaner and healthier lifestyle, we’ve got you covered. Here at Elderberry Queen, we are more than happy to keep you updated on all the latest wellness advice.
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