Apple Tops the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list
The dirty dozen is a list of product with the highest pesticide residues developed by the Environmental Working Group.
The 12 most contaminated types of produce are:
- Peaches
- Apples
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Pears
- Grapes (Imported)
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
According to the 2011 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, apples are the most pesticide-laden fruit. The US Department of Agriculture tested 700 apple samples and over 98% of the apples contained pesticide.
Lower Cholesterol with Apple Pectins
Apples are a great source of pectin. Pectin is another type of soluble fiber and soluble fibers are especially beneficial for lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
Soluble fibers work in two ways:
1. Decrease cholesterol absorption
2. Slow bile acid recycling
