Flavors of Good Health

Love it or hate it, Brussels sprouts get their distinctive flavor from their health-supporting compounds. Think of some of your favorite bitter foods, dark chocolate perhaps? Or maybe red wine, leafy greens, or cruciferous veggies like Brussels sprouts. Their bitterness comes from compounds like polyphenols and glucosinolates, and the signature earthy flavor of Brussels sprouts comes from sulforaphane, a sulfur-rich antioxidant unique to cruciferous veggies. In the body, these compounds act as antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory, and support whole-body health.¹

Pesticides You Can’t Wash Off

Everything we put into our bodies has an impact on our health, as well as the health of the planet. Brussels sprouts are no exception. Conventional Brussels sprouts are treated with a number of pesticides, including systemic ones like the fungicide metalaxyl.² Typically, this type of pesticide is applied to seeds before planting, but as they grow, crops take up the pesticides in their roots and it becomes systemic, moving into all the parts of the plant, and thus, cannot be washed off or peeled away. Pesticides like metalaxyl and others used in conventional Brussels sprouts not only remain in the produce, but also remain in the environment, where they harm soil and waterway ecosystems.^{3 4}

Soil Health is Human Health

Human health and the health of our environment are inextricable. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the proof is in the Brussels sprouts! Studies show that organic produce is higher in beneficial nutrients like antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals.⁵ Organic Brussels, for instance, have higher levels of zinc and iron compared to conventionally grown ones.⁶ It all starts with healthy soil, rich in nutrients, and teeming with microorganisms. Organic soil not only produces healthier food, but is also able to sequester more carbon than soil treated with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.⁷ Choosing organic Brussels sprouts is an easy way to support your own health, the health of the environment, and the farmers doing the work of tending the soil that is essential to good health for all.

Go ahead, pass the organic Brussels sprouts—we’ll have them this time, no bribe necessary!

Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey

These indulgent sprouts couldn’t be more flavorful! Smoky, savory, a little sweet, and a little spicy, this easy side dish is destined to steal the show.

GET THE RECIPE

References

1. Qiao, K., Zhao, M., Huang, Y., Liang, L., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Bitter perception and effects of foods rich in bitter compounds on human health: A Comprehensive review. Foods, 13(23), 3747. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233747
2. FAO, WHO. (n.d.). Brussels sprouts. FAO - Codex Alimentarius. https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/dbs/pestres/c…
3. Systemic Insecticides: A Reference and Overview | Xerces Society. (n.d.). https://xerces.org/systemic-insecticides
4. Sanchez-Bayo, F., A., H., & Gok, K. (2013). Impact of Systemic Insecticides on Organisms and Ecosystems. In Insecticides - Development of Safer and More Effective Technologies. InTech. https://doi.org/10.5772/52831
5. Barański, M., Średnicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., et al. (2014). Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(5), 794–811. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114514001366
6. Popović-Djordjević, J. B., Kostić, A. Ž., Rajković, M. B., Miljković, I., Krstić, Đ., Caruso, G., Moghaddam, S. S., & Brčeski, I. (2021). Organically vs. Conventionally Grown Vegetables: Multi-elemental Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation. Biological Trace Element Research, 200(1), 426–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02639-9
7. Rodale Institute. (2018, December 3). Organic vs Conventional - Rodale Institute. https://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-basics/organic-vs-conve…