All kinds of things factor into a healthy diet, and even if you try your best to eat healthy and stay away from unhealthy choices, there’s a good chance something can still slip through the cracks. One of these things is Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) foods, which have been a topic of debate for quite some time now. If you’re unsure about the negative effects of GMO foods, here is a quick list of six reasons to avoid them.
GMO Foods are full of Pesticides
Most genetically engineered foods are made to be protected from pests, which means they are regularly doused in pesticides. When consumed, these pesticides are harmful to the body. It should be common sense that any substance that is used to kill insects should not be consumed by you or your family, but unfortunately, this does not seem to be an issue for many food companies.
GMO Foods can cause Digestive Problems
Glyphosate is the most common herbicide used on GMO crops, and it has been shown to negatively impact gut bacteria in humans. This creation of bacterial imbalance has been known to cause problems with the human digestive system.
GMO foods can Increase Toxicity
The majority of plants produce substances that are toxic to humans, and while most of the plants we eat produce toxins at levels that do no harm to our health; this may not be the case with GMO foods. Inserting an exotic gene into a plant can cause that plant to produce toxins at a much higher level than usual. This overabundance of toxins may be harmful if consumed by a human being.
GMO Foods can Accelerate the Aging Process
The results of animal studies on the effects of GMO foods suggest that they may be linked to accelerated aging in the human body. If you consume enough GMO foods, you may be on your way to looking older much sooner than you would like or expect.
GMO Foods are linked to Infertility
Animal studies have also shown that GMO foods are a possible contributor to infertility. If you are a woman who plans to have children, it may be a good idea to stay away from GMO foods, and of course the same rule applies to men who wish to have kids in the future.
GMO Foods could lead to Cancer
GMO foods and the pesticides that are used on them have the potential to lead to specific types of cancer in human beings. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among humans today, and by avoiding GMO foods, you may increase your chances of avoiding it.
In addition to these harmful effects GMO foods can have on your body, there are many others including liver and kidney damage, hormonal disruption, food allergy development, organ damage, and gastrointestinal and immune system disorders. By paying attention to what you are eating and making sure to only shop for organic, non-GMO foods, you are going to be healthier and happier.