We’ve discussed pesticides and their negative health impacts, but we want to deep dive into one in particular… It’s the world’s most widely used herbicide. It’s sprayed on crops everywhere, from wheat to leafy greens. It’s in our water, our air and even our breastmilk.
We’re talking about glyphosate - the active ingredient in Roundup.
If you’re like most people, you’ve heard the word thrown around, maybe in a news article or on social media. But what is glyphosate, really? And why are so many health professionals, scientists, and conscious consumers now concerned about it?
We want to break down the science in layman's terms and talk about why choosing organic food, even some of the time, could be one of the best things you can do for your health.
🌱 What Is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used to kill weeds. It was introduced in the 1970s and quickly became a staple in conventional farming around the world. It’s often sprayed directly on crops, including wheat, oats, corn, soy, canola, and many fruits and vegetables, both during growing and just before harvest.
Because of its widespread use, glyphosate residue is now found in many foods, as well as in water, rain, air... and our bodies.
⚠️ So, What’s the Problem?
While glyphosate may be efficient for killing weeds and pests, research suggests it may be harming much more than that, from your gut to your hormones, and even your long-term health.
Here’s what the science is telling us:
🧠 Hormones, Fertility & Development
Glyphosate is classified as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone function, even at very low doses.
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A 2021 review in Frontiers in Endocrinology found evidence that glyphosate and its commercial formulations may negatively affect thyroid function, reproductive hormones, and fetal development.
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Glyphosate exposure has also been linked to damage to ovarian follicles, potentially affecting hormone balance and egg quality.
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A French study from an infertility clinic found glyphosate in over 55% of sperm samples, linking it to poor sperm quality and lower fertility outcomes.
🦠 Gut Health & Immune Function
Your gut isn’t just where you digest food, it’s where 70% of your immune system lives. It’s deeply connected to your mood, hormones, energy levels, and even how clearly you think.
So what happens when a chemical designed to kill weeds makes its way into your digestive system? Nothing good.
Glyphosate was originally patented as an antibiotic. That means it doesn’t just knock out weeds - it also wipes out beneficial gut bacteria, the kind you need to thrive.
When glyphosate disrupts your microbiome, it can lead to:
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Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria)
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Leaky gut syndrome, where the gut lining becomes more permeable
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Weakened immunity
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Inflammation
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Poor nutrient absorption
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And flow-on effects like food sensitivities, brain fog, and low energy
A 2021 review in Toxics concluded that glyphosate exposure can decrease levels of good bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, and allow potentially harmful microbes like Clostridium to grow. These shifts are associated with inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, and even mood disorders.
What’s more, glyphosate interferes with the shikimate pathway, a metabolic pathway that exists in various bacterial species found in the gut, and is essential for producing amino acids like tryptophan. Since we rely on our gut bacteria to help produce these compounds, glyphosate may be silently starving our bodies of the building blocks we need for healthy brain and immune function.
The worst part? Many of the foods most likely to contain glyphosate - like wheat, oats, and processed cereals - are things we feed our kids. And their developing guts are even more sensitive.
But the good news? The gut is incredibly resilient. Remove the stressor, and it will begin to heal.
Even small changes like switching to spray-free or organic produce or cutting back on ultra-processed foods can help restore your gut and boost your wellbeing.
🧬 Cancer Concerns
Perhaps the most controversial and widely discussed effect of glyphosate is its potential link to cancer.
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In 2015, the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.”
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Legal battles in the U.S. have resulted in billions of dollars in damages awarded to cancer patients (particularly those with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) after juries agreed that glyphosate exposure contributed to their illness.
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Studies in farm workers and residents living near sprayed fields show higher rates of lymphoma and other cancers compared to those unexposed.
🧪 But Isn’t Glyphosate “Safe”?
Despite mounting research and bans or restrictions in dozens of countries, glyphosate is still approved for use in Australia, and residues are commonly found in our food supply.
Regulators often say glyphosate is safe “in small amounts.” But here’s the problem:
We’re not exposed once. We’re exposed every day, in small, repeated doses. And our bodies were never designed to handle that.
In fact, a study by Friends of the Earth and the University of California found that people who ate a conventional diet had detectable levels of glyphosate in their urine - but after switching to organic for just 6 days, their glyphosate levels dropped by an average of 70%.
👩🌾 What About Farmers?
Most farmers using glyphosate aren’t doing it because they want to. They’re doing it because it’s what the system rewards.
Supermarkets demand perfect-looking produce at the lowest possible price and synthetic sprays make that easier. Meanwhile, farmers who grow organically or regeneratively carry more risk and receive less support.
When you choose to buy organic or spray-free food, you’re not just protecting your health. You’re supporting the farmers who are doing it the hard (but right) way and sending a message to the entire food system that health and sustainability matter.
✅ Simple Ways to Avoid Glyphosate
You don’t need to overhaul your whole diet overnight. Start small and focus on the foods that matter most.
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Prioritise organic for high-risk foods: wheat, oats, corn, soy, strawberries, leafy greens, apples, and grapes. See the Dirty Dozen list for other high pesticide residue foods.
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Choose local, spray-free produce whenever possible (like ours!).
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Ditch ultra-processed foods - they often contain multiple ingredients from sprayed crops.
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Grow your own - even a few herbs or salad greens can make a difference.
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Stay informed - the more you know, the better choices you can make.
💚 The Bottom Line
Glyphosate is everywhere. But that doesn’t mean it has to be in you.
From gut health and hormone balance to fertility and cancer risk, this all-too-common chemical has wide-reaching effects, many of which we’re only just beginning to understand. But the good news is that your body responds quickly when you reduce your exposure.
Choosing organic isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress.
Every time you buy real, clean food grown without synthetic chemicals like glyphosate, you’re choosing to support your health, your family’s wellbeing, and the farmers growing food with care and integrity.
👉 Order now and feel great about what’s on your plate.
