It's well known that a diet packed with fruits and vegetables can stave off deadly diseases, including cancer.
But a new study has revealed the 12 items in your local produce section that could be teeming with cancer-causing chemicals.
In a new report, experts from consumer watchdog Environmental Working Group (EWG) have analyzed nearly 50 different fruits, vegetables and legumes based on the amount of pesticide residue they carry.
Pesticides have consistently been linked to cell DNA damage, hormone disruptions and inflammation, all of which raise the risk of cancerous tumors.
Based on the amount of pesticide residue by weight, the researchers calculated a list of the 'dirty dozen' produce items for 2025.
Spinach was the 'dirtiest' item on the list, with three-quarters of non-organic samples containing the insecticide permethrin, which is banned from use on food crops in Europe. While considered safe in low amounts, excessive exposure has been shown to damage the nervous system and lead to muscle weakness, tremors and seizures.
About 40 percent of spinach samples also contained dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1972 over concerns about widespread environmental damage.
Strawberries, leafy greens such as kale, grapes and peaches rounded out the top five dirtiest foods, with people consuming them reporting significantly higher pesticide levels in their urine compared to those who ate lower-residue produce.
Researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have compiled their list of the 'dirtiest' fruits, vegetables and legumes (stock image)
