Unmasking the Hidden Dangers in Your Food –

Learn How GMOs & Pesticides Affect Your Health at Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine

Genetically modified crops, pesticide spraying, and lab-engineered food, illustrating hidden health risks of GMOs and pesticides at Denver Sports and Holistic Medicine.

When we grab food off the shelves, we assume it’s safe—something that will nourish us, fuel our bodies, and keep us healthy.

But what if some of the most common foods we eat every day are quietly doing the opposite?

Hidden in many of our groceries are pesticide residues, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other contaminants that could be messing with everything from our gut health to our hormones—often without us even realizing it.

You’ve probably heard about GMOs and pesticides like glyphosate, but do you know what they’re actually doing to your body?

These chemicals aren’t just about boosting crop yields or keeping bugs away; they have a darker side that’s linked to microbiome imbalances, hormone disruptions, and even chronic diseases like cancer.

And that’s just the beginning.

In Part 2 of this guide, we’ll dive into why these ingredients are so concerning, where they’re hiding in your food, and how they could be affecting your health in ways you never expected.

The Hidden Dangers in Conventionally Grown and GMO Crops

Many of the foods we eat today—especially conventionally grown and genetically modified (GMO) crops—come with an invisible threat: pesticide residues and harmful processing agents. While these chemicals are used to boost crop yields and extend shelf life, their long-term effects on gut health, hormone balance, and immune function are raising serious red flags.

Why Avoid GMOs? The Gut-Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are designed to withstand heavy doses of pesticides and herbicides, meaning the foods made from them are more likely to contain toxic residues.

Long-term consumption of GMO foods has been associated with:

Increased inflammation and metabolic disorders
Higher exposure to toxic pesticides like glyphosate
Imbalances in the gut microbiome, contributing to leaky gut
Unknown long-term health risks due to genetic modification

But the concerns don’t stop there.

Many GMO crops—like corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets—are engineered to produce Bt toxins, which have been shown to disrupt gut bacteria and potentially weaken the immune system. (1)

Bt Toxins in GMO Crops – A Threat to Gut and Immune Health

One of the most concerning aspects of GMO crops is the built-in pesticide known as Bt toxin. Found in genetically modified corn, soy, and cottonseed products, Bt toxin is designed to kill pests—and research suggests it may also have adverse effects on human health (2):

Disrupts gut microbiome balance, leading to digestive issues and inflammation
May overactivate the immune system, increasing the risk of allergies and autoimmune disorders
Widely present in processed foods, as many contain GMO-derived ingredients or oils

Glyphosate (Roundup) – A Global Health Concern

Beyond Bt toxins, another major issue is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. This widely used herbicide in the USA—yet it is banned or restricted in many countries due to its link to serious health risks—has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other serious health conditions.

As its presence in our food supply continues to grow, so do concerns about its long-term impact on human health.

Classified as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), glyphosate has been strongly linked to cancer, hormone disruption, liver disease, and even neurological disorders like ADHD and autism. Some experts argue it should be labeled a known carcinogen, given the growing body of research connecting it to blood cancers, DNA damage, and microbiome imbalances.

And here’s something surprising: glyphosate isn’t just a problem in GMO foods.

It’s widely sprayed on non-GMO crops like wheat, oats, and legumes as a drying agent before harvest, meaning it’s sneaking into a lot more of our food than we might think. (3,4,5,6,7)

Hexane-Processed Soy & Corn Derivatives – The Industrial Solvent Hiding in Your Food

As if pesticides weren’t enough, many plant-based and processed foods contain another hidden chemical—hexane. This industrial solvent is used to extract oils and proteins from crops like soy and corn, but here’s the catch: traces of hexane can remain in the final food product, potentially leading to neurological and liver toxicity.

If you eat soy protein isolates, corn oil, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or certain plant-based meat substitutes, you might be consuming hexane residues without realizing it.

While plant-based diets are often marketed as healthier alternatives, the way these foods are processed raises important questions about their true impact on our health. (8)

Apeel, Edipeel, and Organipeel– The Hidden Produce Coating

But even if you avoid processed foods, there’s another chemical concern—Apeel, a food coating designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Marketed as a plant-based, edible solution, Apeel has raised serious concerns over safety and transparency.

Organipeel and Edipeel are products of Apeel.

And here’s the tricky part: buying organic isn’t enough to avoid it. Apeel is approved for use on both conventional and organic produce, meaning your organic avocados, cucumbers, apples, and citrus fruits may still be coated with it.

To avoid Apeel, you’ll need to check with your grocery store—so far, Natural Grocers is the only major chain explicitly marketing "No Apeel" produce. (9,10)

Why does this matter?

Undisclosed chemical additives and surfactants that can’t be washed off
Contains heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and palladium
May trap pesticide residues and bacteria beneath the coating, increasing exposure risks
Often unlabeled, making it difficult for consumers to know what they’re buying

While Apeel is labeled GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) (which we learned in Part 1 doesnt make it safe at all) by regulatory agencies, many experts argue that the lack of transparency surrounding its ingredients and potential long-term effects warrants closer scrutiny. (1)

Taking Control of Your Food Choices

With so many hidden contaminants—GMOs, pesticides, microplastics, and heavy metals—lurking in our food, making informed choices has never been more important. These substances don’t just affect our gut health; they can disrupt our immune system, throw off our hormonal balance, and have lasting impacts on our overall well-being.

But here’s the good news: you have the power to protect yourself and your family. By choosing organic, non-GMO foods, cutting back on processed products, and staying informed about food safety, you can significantly reduce your exposure to these harmful substances.

Every food choice you make today shapes your health for the future. Empower yourself with knowledge, prioritize cleaner, safer options, and take control of what goes on your plate.

Take Control of Your Health Today

At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, we’re here to help you make the best choices for your health. Whether you need guidance on food labeling, want to reduce toxin exposure, detoxify, or are looking to optimize your health, we’re ready to support you every step of the way.

Request a free consultation with Dr. Martina Sturm to discuss how you can make healthier choices, detoxify your diet, and start feeling your best—naturally.

Resources

The Dark Side of Food Processing & Engineering– GMOs, Pesticides & Engineered Food (Part 2)