Eating the pesticides in conventionally grown food may be why some people get diabetes. Another study showed that five different pesticides were associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Eating organically grown food is the only way we have to avoid these chemical poisons.

The good thing about the skin of most fruits and vegetables is that they have a lot more nutrients than the rest of that food. But unfortunately, that’s where much of the pesticide is stored. Do you thoroughly wash all the produce you eat? That’s good, but you cannot be sure that washing removes all of the pesticides.

Food that is grown organically has considerably higher levels of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, than conventionally grown food. This is the conclusion of a 2014 meta-analysis of 343 studies. Why is this? When plants can use pesticides to help defend against pests, they don’t have to vigorously develop antioxidants.

Organic food tastes better than conventional food. Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides aren’t tasty. Soil that is well nourished and well balanced grows healthier plants. When we eat tastier food, we don’t need to make up in quantity for the lower quality of conventional food.

Prioritize where you spend your money on organically grown food, which does cost more. Spend it first on what you eat the most. Be sure to avoid those foods on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen.” At the top of the list are strawberries and spinach, which are the most likely to be contaminated.

If you eat meat, eggs, or dairy products, you probably have even greater exposure to chemicals than you have from eating plants. You can reduce exposure to antibiotics and growth hormones by consuming organic products.