NEWS Fitness and Nutrition News Study Attempts to Determine if Mediterranean Diets Need to Be Organic By Cara Rosenbloom, RD Cara Rosenbloom, RD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 11, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Elaine Hinzey, RD Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD LinkedIn Elaine Hinzey is a registered dietitian, writer, and fact-checker with nearly two decades of experience in educating clients and other healthcare professionals. Learn about our editorial process Print fcafotodigital / Getty Images Key Takeaways A new study looked at pesticide intake of people following a Mediterranean diet comprised of organic vs. conventionally-grown foods.The study found more pesticide residue in the urine of people following conventional vs. organic diets and questioned whether some of the pesticides may be harmful to human health.The pesticide residue levels in both diets were still well below acceptable safety limits, meaning conventional or organic Mediterranean diets are both safe to eat. The Mediterranean diet, with its abundance of vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil, has been touted as a disease-preventing and nutritious diet. But in a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers looked at whether a Mediterranean diet filled with conventionally-grown foods may lead to an increase in pesticide residues in urine. They wonder if that may link to health issues and question whether an organic Mediterranean diet may be a better choice. “There is evidence that a Mediterranean-style pattern of eating may lower the risk of cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer,” says Erin MacGregor, RD, PHEc, a dietitian and nutrition communication consultant in Saugeen Shores, Ontario. 12 Scientifically Proven Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet About the Study In a 2-week randomized dietary intervention trial, 27 adults were assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet that was comprised of either entirely organic foods, or entirely conventionally grown foods. Both groups consumed a regular Western-style diet with conventional foods before and after the intervention period. In the 2-week study, all meal offerings were identical, with the exception of how the foods were grown—conventional vs. organic. Erin MacGregor, RD, PHEc We know the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables far outweigh any health risk from the tiny amount of residues that we may ingest through our food supply. — Erin MacGregor, RD, PHEc After testing, the researchers found that the urinary pesticide residue excretion (UPRE) was 91% lower for people following the organic Mediterranean diet vs. the conventional group. They also found that switching from the Western diet to the Mediterranean diet, with its increase in vegetables, increased UPRE as well. “We know the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables far outweigh any health risk from the tiny amount of residues that we may ingest through our food supply,” says MacGregor. It is also important to note that this study was funded by the Sheepdrove Trust, Drove Farm in theU.K. which supports initiatives to increase organic farming. Is the Mediterranean Diet Better Than Other Diet? Are Pesticides Worrisome? This study provides evidence that the way our food is produced can affect the level of exposure to synthetic pesticides. However, it was not designed to address how the number of pesticide residues found in the study may affect long-term health. When reading studies like this, it’s important to remember that finding pesticides in urine does not always equate to finding harm. It is important to remember that not all pesticides are toxic. Carlo Leifert, PhD None of the pesticide residues we found in foods consumed during the intervention period was above the minimum residue level permitted by the European Commission. — Carlo Leifert, PhD Carlos Leifert, PhD, a visiting professor in the department of clinical nutrition at the University of Oslo and one of the researchers on the study explains that “None of the pesticide residues we found in foods consumed during the intervention period was above the minimum residue level permitted by the European Commission.” That is key because it means that even though the researchers found pesticide residues in urine, the amounts may have been small or non-harming. MacGregor points out that for something to be toxic, the dose must reach a certain threshold where it would be unsafe. “If it’s 91% more than a very tiny amount, it would not translate to an unsafe amount of residue on food, and the value may be meaningless when it comes to the impact on health,” says MacGregor. Dr. Leifert says that the researchers do not know whether the combination of pesticides they found in the urine samples from the conventional group is safe, but says “there is increasing evidence that they may not be.” Researchers continue to look at the harmful effects of pesticides, including their potential role as endocrine disruptors, which can affect hormone levels. But this leads to more unanswered questions about whether small or safe amounts of pesticides lead to health problems. “Endocrine disruptors have been a topic of conversation for a long time, and it is time we focus a little more attention on them,” says Sharon Puello MA RD CDN CDCES, a dietitian with F.R.E.S.H. Nutrition in New York, who often talks about pesticides and toxins with her clients. The problem is bigger than just pesticides found in food, though. There can also be endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics, household cleaners, plastic packaging, clothing, toys, and more. It’s certainly an ongoing area of research, and something to be aware of. Dirty Dozen List of Fruits and Vegetables Updated - Should You Use It? Is a Conventional Mediterranean Diet Healthy? Conventional or organic, there’s an abundance of research that supports the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Puello says that “eating more fruits and vegetables of any kind is definitely more beneficial than sticking to the Western diet.” She explains that while you may have a higher intake of some pesticides, you also have a higher intake of antioxidants that have positive impacts on health. And what about the cost of organic food? Dr. Leifert says that in Europe, the price premium for many organic fruit and vegetables is small, making organic fruit and vegetables affordable. But that is not always the case in North America, where organically-grown food costs more than conventionally-grown food. “Organic food often comes at a higher price because of the limited number of tools farmers have to control pests like insects or weeds,” says MacGregor. “This could mean it is less affordable and accessible to everyone.” “Getting healthier foods with fewer contaminants into the hands of everyone should be a universal goal,” says Puello. “With that said, as a society, we're not at that point right now where everyone has equal access to affordable, organically grown produce. However, that doesn't mean weshouldn't push for change within our communities to get to that point.” What This Means For You Whether you choose foods that are conventionally or organically grown, the Mediterranean diet plan encourages eating vegetables, fruit, beans, and grains to support health and prevent chronic disease. To reduce pesticide exposure, you can choose organic options if they are affordable, available, and enjoyable for you. But it's too soon to link a small number of pesticide residues with long-term health issues, and research in this area is ongoing. Research Finds Right Mix of Fruits and Veggies for Longer Life Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Papadaki A, Nolen-Doerr E, Mantzoros CS. The effect of the Mediterranean diet on metabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials in adults. Nutrients. 2020;12(11):3342. doi:10.3390/nu12113342 Rempelos L, Wang J, Barański M, et al. Diet, and food type affect urinary pesticide residue excretion profiles in healthy individuals: results of a randomized controlled dietary intervention trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021:nqab308. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqab308 The Endocrine Society. Common EDCs and where they are found.