Organic food refers to food made with processes complying with those of organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is a practice based on organic growing techniques, without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Organic farming techniques differ worldwide, but organic farming typically includes practices that rotate natural resources, preserve biodiversity, and cycle scarce, finite resources such as water. The concept of organic food is not a new one; however, the recognition of the multiple benefits associated with organic food production has led to the increased interest in its consumption. There are also numerous campaigns and organizations supporting organic food consumption.
One study found that people who consume organic food are more likely to have lower risks for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin, the University of California-Davis, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Harvard University. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the study, the researchers examined 712 people, all of whom had an average age of 65.
The researchers found that people who consumed more organic foods had lower risks for many common types of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, and obesity. The risk factors for diabetes were also reduced for people who ate organic foods. However, one glaring exception to the benefits of organic foods was the increased cancer risk for people who ate mostly meat. This was surprising, since most studies have shown that people who eat meat are less likely to develop some cancers.
Another study found that organic food contains significantly higher levels of nutrients than non-organic food. Some of the reasons why this occurs are because farmers grow their foods in soil that is nutrient-deficient and polluted with industrial pollutants. The presence of these toxins in the soil can make it difficult or even impossible for the nutrients to make it into the plants’ roots. But when they’re grown in the absence of toxins, the plants seem to thrive better and produce higher quality fruits and vegetables. Organic certification helps ensure that farmers are getting high quality nutrients, which is especially important considering today’s diet and environment.
Organic vegetables and fruit have higher antioxidant content. Antioxidants are chemicals that protect the body from cancer-causing free radicals. Several studies found that fruits and vegetables have the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food type. And the best antioxidants were not those added to the product at the factory, but rather what they were naturally-occurring in the plants themselves. It’s important to eat fresh and organic fruit and vegetables if you want to be healthy. Avoiding packaged foods is a good way to ensure that you’re getting all of the nutrients you need to maintain your optimal health.
Vegetables and fruits also contain higher levels of nutrients, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Plants naturally contain many nutrients that humans don’t get enough of. However, there are many additional nutrients that are introduced into the food through fertilization, growing techniques, and other means. That’s why it’s important to consume a well-balanced diet. Adding extra vitamins and antioxidants is one way to help you get more of those nutrients in your daily diet. A study of organic and non-organic berries showed that organic berries had significantly higher levels of antioxidants than the non-organic berries.
There are some serious concerns about the safety of organics, though. One big concern is pesticide residue. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, pesticide residue “may contribute to a variety of health problems, including cancer.” The European Union has similar worries and recently announced a ban on certain pesticides that have been known to contribute to various types of cancer and environmental diseases. Since organic foods may not necessarily have pesticide residues, those who believe in organics’ health benefits may not be as concerned with this problem.
However, many feel that it’s more important to purchase organic foods to get the most nutritious value. The nutritional content of organically-grown food is nearly the same as that of non-organic foods grown using the same techniques. Even with increased nutrients, many people would still choose to buy organically-grown products. For example, the nutritional content of non-organic apples was the same as organic apples, even though the organic apples were smaller and had fewer seeds. It’s really a matter of preference.