Glyphosate, the widely used herbicide known as Roundup, has been linked to brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases in a new study conducted by Arizona State University (ASU). Found in foods like cereals and orange juice, glyphosate exposure poses a serious public health concern, according to researchers.
The study, led by Ramon Velazquez, revealed that even low levels of glyphosate exposure — similar to those found in the human diet — caused neurological damage in mice. “Our work underscores the brain’s vulnerability to glyphosate,” Velazquez stated, adding that rural communities may face heightened risks due to higher exposure levels.
Critics have long warned about glyphosate’s presence in food and beverages. Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt pointed to findings that popular orange juice brands contain glyphosate residue. “This discovery is unacceptable, especially for children who are particularly vulnerable to pesticides,” she said.
The EPA currently allows certain levels of glyphosate on food crops, asserting that it poses minimal risk to human health. However, the ASU study challenges this assumption, showing that even short-term exposure can have lasting effects.
The study’s release has bolstered a growing movement of parents advocating for natural lifestyles and cleaner food systems. These “crunchy moms,” inspired by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are pushing for the removal of harmful chemicals from everyday products to protect their children’s health.
With the incoming Trump administration expected to take a different approach to environmental regulation, advocates are watching closely to see how the EPA addresses the findings. Researchers hope their work will prompt a reevaluation of glyphosate’s safety and stricter oversight of its use.
