Organic food means no artificial chemicals, colorings, and compounds added, but what does this mean for our health? The addition of these food additives has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and neurological disorders and can play a detrimental role in our hormones.

The presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like Glyphosate, found primarily in pesticides and genetically modified foods, can wreak havoc on our endocrine system, causing a host of issues. Read on to find out more.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Food

The rise of organic foods within the last few years signifies that people are starting to care more about the types of food they put in their bodies. Many people associate organic foods as safer, healthier, and better for the environment than their non-organic counterparts. But what exactly makes a food “organic”, and how do they differ from regular non-organic options?

Organic foods are grown and farmed without hormones, genetically modified organisms, and artificial chemicals. Also, for a food option to be correctly labeled “organic,” they must be free from any added food additives such as MSG, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives (1).

Because all these additional chemicals and preservatives have been eliminated, organic foods often have more nutritional value and health benefits. While these additives often create a highly delicious and appealing product, they have also been linked with long-term effects like cancer, skin disorders, and digestive issues (2). For example, hydrogenated oils are banned in several countries because of their link to heart disease, while sodium nitrites produce nitrosamines, compounds that have been linked to colon cancer (3).

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) can interfere or mimic the endocrine system, where hormones are naturally produced. EDC’s are often linked with many health problems, from developmental to reproductive. While they are found in many everyday products, including plastic and cosmetics, their presence in food may wreak more havoc on our body than we realize.

EDC’s can pass directly into the food chain when used as pesticides, or they may be present from plastic food packaging. In addition to this, are naturally occurring plant-based compounds called Phytoestrogens, which have hormone-like activity. These can be found in foods like soy milk and tofu and are especially prevalent in GMO containing soy products that are non-organic (4).

Because our body’s normal endocrine functioning already involves small changes in hormone fluctuations causing significant biological effects, many researchers have concluded that even low levels of EDC’s may result in health problems. BPA, often found in canned foods, is a type of EDC that contributes to obesity and can also affect testosterone levels in males, resulting in lowered sperm counts (5).

Because certain pesticides have been linked to hormone disruption, eating non-organic foods exposed to these chemicals can be a surefire way to increase EDC levels within your body. One widely used herbicide utilized is Glyphosate.

What is Glyphosate?

Glyphosate is a chemical compound that is highly effective as a weed killer. It is known as the most commonly used herbicide chemical worldwide, used for various purposes ranging from private properties to commercial crops. While Glyphosate was firstly synthesized to be used in the pharmaceutical world, its harmful effects on plants made it a useful product, known as Roundup, around the world. The utilization of Roundup was enhanced by the availability of crops like corn and soybean, which were genetically modified to withstand Roundup.

Despite the numerous benefits it has brought to the agriculture world, Glyphosate has come under fire for multiple adverse health claims. It has been labeled a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization and is the subject of several lawsuits by people who have developed cancer after long-term exposure to Roundup (6). Glyphosate is linked to cancer in several ways:

• Negatively affects hormone balance
• At high levels, it can cause hemoglobin oxidation
• Increases risk of oxidative damage in DNA
• Increases risk of cellular mutations

The Presence of Glyphosate in Organic Food

Organic crops are not allowed to be treated with herbicides like Glyphosate, so any chemical presence is likely to be in much lower quantities than non-organic crops. While the knowledge that Glyphosate can still be present in non-GMO and organic crops is disappointing, it is also not surprising. Glyphosate use continues to increase worldwide, and its sneaky ability to bind to soil and water particles means it’s highly prevalent.

Still, with the purchase of organic produce comes peace of mind as a consumer. While the presence of Glyphosate in the environment is almost impossible to eradicate, purchasing organic food is making a small push towards a future with less overall Glyphosate in the environment.

The Bottom Line

Food additives in non-organic foods and the prevalent use of pesticides in the farming stage have been linked to numerous adverse health effects. These range from neurological to physiological and can be detrimental to our hormones.

While there are many these hormone-affecting compounds, the common culprits are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including the highly popular herbicide glyphosate. Eating organic foods may not eliminate these compounds, but it is a good option for those worried about their health and hormones.