Infertility treatments may be less effective for people who eat more foods with higher levels of pesticide residue, according to a new study.
Certain types of fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries and spinach, tend to require more pesticides to protect the crops and ‘washing them makes absolutely no difference,’ says study author Jorge Chavarro.
The Harvard University study examined women who were undergoing fertility treatment, and found that those that ate more of these types of produce were less likely to get pregnant or deliver a live baby.
As research continues to document decreasing fertility, this study may provide a clue as to how environmental factors may be linked to falling pregnancy and birth rates.
