If you thought eating pesticide-free organic food would reap major health benefits, think again.
According to a recent study, eating organic does nothing to reduce a woman's risk of cancer.
Researchers asked 600,000 women aged 50 or over whether they ate organic food and monitored their health for nine years.
In total, around 50,000 of the women developed one of 16 of the most common cancers during the study period.
But a comparison between 180 women who never ate organic food and 45,000 who "usually" or "always" chose organic found no difference in overall cancer risk.
In fact, a small increased risk of breast cancer was seen in organic consumers.
But this result could be due to other factors or pure chance, the scientists said.
A reduction in the risk of the blood cancer non-Hodgkin lymphoma was also linked to eating organic, but again scientists said this may not be a genuine association.
70 Healthiest Foods
Almonds(01 of70)
Open Image ModalApples(02 of70)
Open Image ModalApples are an "excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol," says Wixom. The fruit is also high in fiber and its peel contains something called ursolic acid, which has been shown in recent studies to lower the incidence of obesity. "Apples also contain quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in preventing respiratory problems," Heather Bauer tells The Huffington Post. "Research shows that pregnant women who incorporated apples into their daily diet were less likely to give birth to a child with asthma." (credit:shutterstock)
Artichoke Hearts(03 of70)
Open Image ModalAvocado(04 of70)
Open Image ModalBeets(05 of70)
Open Image Modal"The dark red color indicates the powerful phytonutrient package of beets," Diekman tells The Huffington Post. Indeed beets are rich in betalains, such as betanin and vulgaxanthin, that give them their pigment and also have anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties.Beyond that, beets contain significant amounts of folate, vitamin C, B6, iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, zinc, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. (credit:FLICKR: USDAGOV)
Beans(06 of70)
Open Image ModalBell Peppers(07 of70)
Open Image ModalBlackberries And Raspberries(08 of70)
Open Image ModalBerries are low in calories and are excellent sources of fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants and phytochemicals, and, according to Wixom, some research suggests they help with such divergent health challenges as age-related mental decline, heart disease, some cancers and urinary tract infections. On the mental acuity front, the berries are full of anthocyanins for boosting memory, according to Joy Bauer, but that's not their only age-related benefit. "These foods are high in antioxidants, protect the body from the harmful effects of by-products known as free radicals, made normally when the body changes oxygen and food into energy," according to experts at the Penn Institute on Aging at the University of Pennsylvania. (credit:shutterstock)
Black Tea(09 of70)
Open Image ModalBlueberries(10 of70)
Open Image ModalWhile all berries provide healthful antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals, studies show that blueberries have a particular and unique health benefit. "Among the fruits with the highest level of antioxidants, blueberries have been linked to lowering cholesterol, reducing diabetes risk, slowing the aging process, improving motor skills and supporting urinary and vision health," says Fitzgerald. "The compound, anthocynanin, gives blueberries their color and may be the main component of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties." (credit:Alamy)
Broccoli(11 of70)
Open Image ModalBrown Rice(12 of70)
Open Image ModalBrussels Sprouts (13 of70)
Open Image ModalCherries(14 of70)
Open Image ModalChia Seeds(15 of70)
Open Image ModalCoffee(16 of70)
Open Image ModalCranberries(17 of70)
Open Image ModalDark Chocolate(18 of70)
Open Image ModalEdamame(19 of70)
Open Image ModalEggs(20 of70)
Open Image ModalFlax Seed(21 of70)
Open Image ModalGinger(22 of70)
Open Image ModalGreek Yogurt(23 of70)
Open Image ModalGreen Tea(24 of70)
Open Image ModalKale(25 of70)
Open Image ModalKefir(26 of70)
Open Image ModalLentils(27 of70)
Open Image ModalOatmeal(28 of70)
Open Image ModalOlive Oil(29 of70)
Open Image ModalOranges(30 of70)
Open Image ModalPistachios(31 of70)
Open Image ModalPomegranate(32 of70)
Open Image ModalPotatoes(33 of70)
Open Image ModalQuinoa(34 of70)
Open Image ModalRed Wine(35 of70)
Open Image ModalSalmon(36 of70)
Open Image ModalSardines(37 of70)
Open Image ModalSeaweed(38 of70)
Open Image ModalShiitake Mushrooms(39 of70)
Open Image ModalSkim Milk(40 of70)
Open Image ModalSpinach(41 of70)
Open Image ModalStrawberries(42 of70)
Open Image ModalSunflower Sprouts(43 of70)
Open Image ModalSweet Potatoes(44 of70)
Open Image ModalTomatoes(45 of70)
Open Image ModalTurmeric(46 of70)
Open Image ModalTuna(47 of70)
Open Image ModalWalnuts(48 of70)
Open Image ModalWater(49 of70)
Open Image ModalWhite Tea(50 of70)
Open Image ModalApricots(51 of70)
Open Image ModalAsparagus(52 of70)
Open Image ModalBananas(53 of70)
Open Image ModalBasil(54 of70)
Open Image ModalBlack Pepper(55 of70)
Open Image ModalBlack Rice(56 of70)
Open Image ModalCarrots(57 of70)
Open Image ModalChili Peppers(58 of70)
Open Image ModalCitrus Fruits(59 of70)
Open Image ModalGarlic(60 of70)
Open Image ModalHemp Seeds(61 of70)
Open Image ModalJicama(62 of70)
Open Image ModalKiwi(63 of70)
Open Image ModalMango(64 of70)
Open Image ModalOlives(65 of70)
Open Image ModalOnions(66 of70)
Open Image ModalOregano(67 of70)
Open Image ModalPapaya(68 of70)
Open Image ModalPineapple(69 of70)
Open Image ModalThyme(70 of70)
Open Image ModalProfessor Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK-funded scientist at Oxford University, said: "In this large study of middle-aged women in the UK we found no evidence that a woman's overall cancer risk was decreased if she generally ate organic food.
"More research is needed to follow-up our findings of a possible reduction in risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma."
There are concerns that widely used pesticides might increase cancer risk, but so far the evidence has been inconclusive.
Conventionally grown fruit and vegetables contain very small pesticide residues.
The new findings appear in the British Journal of Cancer, which is owned by Cancer Research UK.
Dr Claire Knight, the charity's health information manager, said: "This study adds to the evidence that eating organically grown food doesn't lower your overall cancer risk.
"But if you're anxious about pesticide residues on fruit and vegetables, it's a good idea to wash them before eating.
"Scientists have estimated that over 9% of cancer cases in the UK may be linked to dietary factors, of which almost 5% are linked to not eating enough fruit and vegetables.
"So eating a well-balanced diet which is high in fruit and vegetables - whether conventionally grown or not - can help reduce your cancer risk."