Are the health benefits of organic foods superior to non-organic foods? According to a Stanford study that was published in September 2012 – no, organic food is no more nutritious than food that is grown using more conventional methods.
The word ‘organic’ refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don’t use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weed killers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
Here are some key differences between conventional farming and organic farming:
Conventional
- Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth
- Spray synthetic insecticides to reduce pests and disease
- Use synthetic herbicides to manage weeds
- Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth
Organic
- Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants
- Spray pesticides from natural sources; use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease
- Use environmentally generated plant-killing compounds; rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds
- Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures – such as; rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing – to help minimize disease
For me, the answer is simple – the benefits to eating organic food far outweigh eating non-organic. There have been links to the increased health issues such as respiratory illness and even cancer due to the use of pesticides. I also choose to eat organic foods as often as possible to ensure I promote a sustainable environment – organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil quality.
There has not been enough research and studies to compare the health benefits/differences of organic foods vs non-organic foods but there has certainly been enough reasons to make me choose organic more so than non-organic. Since the introduction of pesticides in our crops and growth hormones and antibiotic medication given to chickens, pork and beef – there has been a huge increase in cancer and other health issues. Common sense would suggest that introducing chemicals into our bodies would only do us harm. The evidence is everywhere. Farming practices are not about providing healthy food alternatives to the buying public – it is more about the bottom line and making profit with no regard to the consumer, crops or animals well-being. What risks are you willing to take regarding the safety of your food – we should demand better from our government to ensure proper regulation in the safety of our food.
We must be proactive and diligent when it comes to our health and well-being. You must ask questions and then do the research in order for you to determine what your best approach is in anything we do in our lives. Knowledge is power.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
References:
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 