What’s Hiding in Your Favorite Snacks? The Truth About Toxic Metals and Glyphosate in Girl Scout Cookies

Let’s talk about something that might make you rethink some of your favorite childhood snacks—because what we put in our bodies matters. A new study has found toxic heavy metals and glyphosate (the main ingredient in Roundup weed killer) in Girl Scout cookies.

What the Study Found

Researchers tested 25 different cookie samples from California, Iowa, and Louisiana, and the results were concerning:

100% contained glyphosate (yes, every single cookie tested). Thin Mints had the highest levels at 111.07 parts per billion (ppb).
88% tested positive for ALL 5 toxic heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and aluminum).
76% exceeded the EPA’s safety limits for cadmium, a heavy metal linked to kidney disease.
96% contained lead, which has no safe level of exposure, especially for children.

[Reference: Conexiant Endocrinology Study]

This is not just about one brand of cookies. It’s about the state of our food system.

The Bigger Issue: A Toxic Food Supply

This is a good example of how we’re exposed to glyphosate and heavy metals every day—and it's not just in cookies. Glyphosate is sprayed on wheat, oats, corn, and soy, meaning it’s in:

Breakfast cereals
Granola bars
Crackers
Pasta
Even some organic foods (due to cross-contamination)

Heavy metals come from contaminated soil and water, showing up in:

Rice
Protein powders
Chocolate
Leafy greens
Greens Powders

The more processed foods we eat, the higher our toxic burden becomes.

What Happens When Your Body Is Overloaded With Toxins?

Your body is designed to detox, but we’re living in a world where we’re exposed to far more toxins than ever before. And when the burden becomes too great, we start to see biological downstream effects that impact our health.

1. Increased Inflammation & Chronic Disease

Heavy metals and glyphosate are linked to chronic inflammation, which drives conditions like

:✔ Autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis)

✔ Metabolic dysfunction (insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes)

✔ Cardiovascular disease

[[Reference: Environmental Research Journal, 2021]]

2. Gut Microbiome Disruption

Glyphosate is an antibiotic, meaning it kills off beneficial gut bacteria. A disrupted microbiome is linked to:

✔ Leaky gut

✔ IBS, bloating, and food intolerances

✔ Increased risk of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression

[[Reference: Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020]]

3. Neurotoxicity & Cognitive Decline

Heavy metals like lead and mercury cross the blood-brain barrier, where they can:

✔ Damage neurons and impair cognitive function

✔ Increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

✔ Lower IQ and affect brain development in children

[[Reference: Journal of Neuroscience, 2019]]

4. Liver & Kidney Dysfunction

Your liver and kidneys work overtime to detox these compounds, but a high toxic load can lead to:

✔ Fatigue and brain fog

✔ Poor metabolism and weight gain

✔ Increased risk of kidney disease

[[Reference: Toxicology Reports, 2022]]

How to Support Your Body’s Detox Pathways

We can’t avoid all toxins, but we can take steps to reduce our exposure and support our body’s natural detoxification systems. Here’s how:

1. Eat Organic & Choose Glyphosate-Free Foods

Look for “Certified Organic” and “Glyphosate Residue Free” labels to reduce your exposure.

2. Support Your Liver with Detoxifying Foods

Your liver is your main detox organ, so fuel it with:

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Garlic and onions (rich in sulfur to help eliminate heavy metals)
Turmeric (supports liver enzymes)

3. Drink Filtered Water & Stay Hydrated

Toxins are eliminated through urine, so drink plenty of clean, filtered water every day.

4. Boost Glutathione (Your Body’s Master Detoxifier)

You can boost glutathione naturally by eating:

✔ Avocados

✔ Asparagus

✔ Grass-fed whey protein

✔ Eggs

Saunas and exercise also help your body detox through sweating.

In a Nutshell

This study is a wake-up call about the toxic burden in our food supply. The more processed foods we eat, the more we expose ourselves to glyphosate, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals. But the good news is that our body knows how to detox—you just have to give it the right tools.

You can't do that on accident these days. Start with intentional, small, sustainable changes: swap processed snacks for whole foods, drink clean and filtered water, and support your detox pathways daily. Get in contact with me if you are interested in learning more or want help with testing your personal toxic burden levels and how you can better support your body's resilience to these kinds of things that are ubiquitous in our lives. Your future self will thank you.

To your health,

Cara