It comes down to how they grow—and how much chemical protection they require. The Dirty Dozen, like strawberries, spinach, and peppers, have thin skins or no peel at all, making them more vulnerable to pests. That means they’re often treated with multiple types of pesticides that are difficult to wash away. The Clean Fifteen, on the other hand, have thicker skins or protective layers (like avocados and sweet corn) that act as a natural barrier, reducing the need for chemical spraying. This is why choosing organic produce for the Dirty Dozen can make a big difference. When something is labeled organic, it means it was grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. It’s one way to reduce your body’s daily toxic load. Especially when we know even trace amounts of pesticide exposure can quietly wear down your gut lining over time. That’s why we created ION* Gut Support, to help restore and reinforce your gut lining, defend against environmental toxins, and support full-body resilience from the inside out. Learn more at intelligenceofnature.com — link in bio. #dirtydozen #cleanfifteen #EWG2025 #organicproduce #guthealth #pesticides #immunesupport #barrierfunction #microbiomehealth #IntelligenceOfNature