Organic food protects gut bacteria

The theory that pesticide residues in food are killing human gut bacteria and contributing to major 21st Century illnesses is becoming mainstream, says a prominent Australian doctor.

Dr Mark Donahue, a Sydney GP with a special interest in environmental medicine, told Sky News: “Scientists have always said that eating organic food is senseless and makes no difference as pesticides don’t harm humans. However, pesticides kill certain types of gut bacteria, not us. This causes an imbalance that contributes to diabetes and poor general health.”

Donahue says this thinking is becoming “mainstream, particularly among gastroenterologists”. He says that eating organic food protects vital gut fora “without which we cannot be healthy”.