In case you needed another reason to embrace organic food, research has found links between exposure to pesticides and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. One study examined over 700 residents of California’s agricultural region the Central Valley, and found that people living within 500 meters of fields sprayed with the fungicide maneb and the herbicide paraquat from 1974-1989 were more likely than comparable people to develop Parkinson’s — 75% more likely. I don’t know about you, but that scares me! And let’s not forget that people most likely to be heavily exposed are the farm workers who produce the food we eat. Pesticides and other poisons are, in my opinion, dangerous double-edged swords. Remember too that not all chemicals poured into our environment have been tested for safety — either alone or in combination. So next time you shop, buying organic food is one way you can help preserve the health of the planet and yourself.