Glyphosate, GMO’s, The Importance of Eating Organic
Cropthorne Farmstand, certified organic farmers in Delta, BC
We’ve always believed in eating organic foods. GMO’s, or genetically modified organisms, have never appealed to us in that they are typically grown to be able to withstand heavy pesticide use. It wasn’t until a recent deep-dive into the usage of glyphosate that we’ve come to understand the importance of eating a certified organic diet.
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide widely used in North America to kill weeds and grasses that compete with crops. It is the active ingredient in Roundup. Glyphosate works by inhibiting a plant enzyme essential for growth, effectively targeting plants while being absorbed by crops genetically modified to resist it.
It is the most widely used herbicide in the world, applied to conventional crops, GMO fields, and even used as a pre-harvest drying agent on grains and legumes.
Glyphosate is not just a herbicide—it’s a lens through which we can examine the impact of modern agriculture on our health and environment. While regulatory agencies like Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aim to evaluate and monitor pesticide use, their closely aligned policies and methods have raised concerns about oversight, especially as independent research highlights glyphosate's effects on people, animals, and the environment.
Glyphosate’s Health Risks at a Glance
Glyphosate’s widespread use isn’t just an agricultural issue—it’s a human health concern. From its presence in drinking water to residues in food and personal products, glyphosate exposure is a reality for many. Research has linked it to:
Cancer Risk: A 41% increase in cancer risk among high-exposure agricultural workers.
Gut Health and Immunity: Disruptions in gut microbiota, which may lead to inflammation.
Bioaccumulation Concerns: Detectable levels in breast milk, urine, and everyday cotton-based products.
Glyphosate’s Impact on Pollinators
1. Disruption of Gut Microbiome
Glyphosate inhibits an enzyme in the shikimate pathway, which plants and certain bacteria use to produce essential compounds. While this pathway isn’t present in animals, it is found in the gut microbiota of bees. Glyphosate exposure disrupts the balance of gut bacteria in bees, weakening their immune systems and making them more susceptible to diseases like Serratia marcescens, a common bee pathogen.
2. Impaired Navigation and Foraging
Studies suggest glyphosate exposure can impair bees' cognitive abilities, including their memory and learning. Bees struggle to navigate back to their hives or remember where food sources are located, leading to decreased foraging efficiency.
3. Reduced Colony Health
The cumulative effects of glyphosate exposure—disease susceptibility, disorientation, and weakened immunity—can result in reduced colony health and productivity over time. This adds to other stressors like habitat loss and climate change, compounding the threats to bee populations.
The Regenerative Difference
While conventional agriculture relies heavily on glyphosate and other synthetic inputs, regenerative farming is the positive alternative. This approach restores soil health, reducing reliance on chemicals and enriching the nutritional profile of crops.
Recent studies have shown that food grown on regenerative farms contains:
More Nutrients: Increased levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and essential vitamins like B1, B12, C, E, and K.
Anti-Inflammatory Compounds: Higher concentrations of phytochemicals and antioxidants, which are vital for reducing inflammation and boosting overall health.
Fewer Toxins: Lower levels of harmful elements like sodium, cadmium, and nickel.
Dr. Montgomery, an advocate for regenerative practices, summarizes the benefits: “Across the board, we found these regenerative practices imbue our crops with more anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants.”
Vancouver Farmer’s Market, Riley Park open year-round
Why choose regeneratively grown foods?
Switching to regeneratively grown, organic foods isn’t just about avoiding glyphosate—it’s about nourishing your body with clean, vibrant ingredients. Foods from regenerative farms don’t just fuel your body; they protect your health, support sustainable farming communities, and help heal the planet.
At Earthy Plate, we prioritize sourcing from regenerative farms with mineral rich soils. When you choose Earthy Plate, you’re choosing better food for your health and the environment.
What’s the solution?
Support local, organic, regenerative farms. Go to the farmers market and get to know the people growing your food. Ask questions. Ask them about their farming practices. Ask them if they spray their crops with anything.
Remember that you get to decide with whom you spend your money. Your dollar speaks. You can avoid purchasing food with any farmer who gives you red flags, avoids your questions, or makes you feel inferior for caring about your health, your family’s health and the health of your earth.
If you don’t have a farmers market accessible to you, look into CSA’s in your area. If you’re shopping at the grocery store, choose certified organic foods to minimize pesticide exposure.
Refer to the list below of the foods that should definitely be purchased organic, and the list of vegetables that are less important to be purchased organic.
Share your knowledge about the benefits of glyphosate-free eating with friends and family.
We have the power to make glyphosate-free, nutrient-dense food the standard, not the exception.
Always Eat Organic:
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, Collard Greens, and Mustard Greens
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Bell Peppers and Hot Peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green Beans
Grains
Legumes
Any corn/soy products
Coffee
Cotton-based products (tampons & pads, cotton swabs, etc.)
Not as Important to Eat Organic:
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Sweet peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
Cabbage
Mushrooms
Cantaloupe
Mangoes
Watermelon
Sweet Potatoes
Resources:
Montgomery, D. (2022). Farms following soil-friendly practices grow healthier food, study suggests. University of Washington News. Retrieved from https://www.washington.edu
Advancing Eco Agriculture. (n.d.). Advancing eco-agriculture: Regenerative agriculture practices and solutions. Retrieved from https://advancingecoag.com
Hepperly, P. R., & Reider, C. (2022). Regenerative agriculture comparisons: Improved nutrient density and environmental impact. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Glyphosate Facts. (n.d.). GMOs and glyphosate. Retrieved from https://glyphosatefacts.com
Glyphosate Facts. (n.d.). Glyphosate impacts: Health. Retrieved from https://glyphosatefacts.com
Motta, E. V. S., Raymann, K., & Moran, N. A. (2018). Glyphosate perturbs the gut microbiota of honey bees. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 115(41), 10305–10310. Retrieved from https://www.pnas.org
Herbert, L. T., Vázquez, D. E., Arenas, A., & Farina, W. M. (2014). Effects of field-realistic doses of glyphosate on honeybee appetitive behavior. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 217, 3457-3464. Retrieved from https://journals.biologists.com
Balbuena, M. S., Tison, L., Hahn, M. L., Greggers, U., Menzel, R., & Farina, W. M. (2015). Effects of sublethal doses of glyphosate on honeybee navigation. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 218(17), 2799-2805. Retrieved from https://journals.biologists.com
