Bargain or Booby Trap? The Hidden Costs of Choosing Non-Organic

Who doesn't love a good deal? We've all been there - standing in the supermarket, looking at two fruits or veggies that look the same, but the difference in price makes your heart skip a beat! On a recent shopping trip, I faced the cucumber conundrum! Okay, calling it that sounds cheesy, I admit - but now you remember it and you’ll thank me later. Anyway, to the left, proud organic cucumbers priced at $3.49, looking all pristine. To the right, the conventional, aka non organic, aka probably pesticide covered ones, tempting me with their 99-cent price tag. "Just peel and wash them, and it'll be good," I thought, even though as a biohacker I knew better, and snagged the deal.

But then... the itch. It started small, and I told myself, "Nah! It's all in your head - no way this could happen that fast." Though initially dismissed, the discomfort intensified to a point where, upon reaching home, running to the backyard hose to wash my hands really well was just the only solution, as the kitchen sink was too far away. Is this proof that something on those cucumbers hurt my skin? No. But this experience was at least enough to ask the question - Even though organic is more expensive, is taking a chance with my health worth it?

The Nitty-Gritty on Glyphosate

The secret ingredient you didn't know was in your food - let’s delve into why non-organic might have a dark side, especially the notorious Glyphosate.

1. Unexpected Carcinogen: The International Agency for Research on Cancer dropped some serious news by labeling glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” If you look in the dictionary, you’ll find that carcinogenic means has the potential to cause cancer. Adding to the drama, a report in JAMA found detectable levels of glyphosate in the urine of a significant portion of people tested. It's like finding out your favorite movie has an unexpected twist. And not a funny one. In a study from 2019, researchers from the University of Washington found that glyphosate can increase the risk of certain types of cancer by more than 40 percent. No. Thank you.

2. Gut Busters: A 2018 study in Current Microbiology showed that glyphosate isn't kind to our gut. It's harsh on the good bacteria while giving the harmful ones a free pass. Echoing this, another study from the Journal of Applied Toxicology suggested that glyphosate might be disrupting our gut's friendly residents. Given that the most cutting edge research is now showing that a healthy gut might be the number one key to health, I'd say anything that could harm it doesn't deserve an invitation into our bodies.

3. Hormone Havoc: A rollercoaster of a study in 2015 from Environmental Health suggested that even low glyphosate amounts can jumble up our cell's hormone levels. Digging deeper, a study in Toxicology Reports supports the idea that glyphosate can act as an endocrine disruptor. So now our cells are going through mood swings too? Imagine that a cucumber could make you sad or angry while you're trying to focus on your work or family... crazy image to think about but what if it wasn't so crazy after all?

In a world where choices abound, sometimes saving a few dollars now might come with unforeseen costs later. While my brief encounter with those cucumbers isn’t definitive proof of anything, it serves as a poignant reminder: when it comes to health, don't just think about the price tag right now - investing more in your health now could pay off much more in time, energy, and even money later.

TLDR: Went shopping, grabbed non-organic cucumbers, got a super itchy rash where i had touched them, and uncovered some food truths. Shopping just got a whole lot more interesting.