Review: Limitations in the evidential basis supporting health benefits from a decreased exposure to pesticides through organic food consumption


By Robin Mesnage, Ioannis N. Tsakiris, Michael N. Antoniou, Aristides Tsatsakis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cotox.2019.11.003

Abstract

Consumer demand for organic food is mostly based on the belief that organic products are healthier because they are less contaminated with pesticides. We explain why health benefits from a decreased exposure to pesticides through organic food consumption remain unsubstantiated. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that non-organic food products contain higher levels of synthetic pesticides. However, a link between the consumption of an organic diet with health benefits is confounded by a number of lifestyle and demographic covariates. We recommend dietary intervention studies be conducted such as randomized double-blind placebo control investigations to determine if a group of individuals consuming an organic wholefood diet or an equivalent non-organic diet present any differences in health status.

 

Corresponding Author:

Robin Mesnage

Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King’s College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, 8th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom