What Benefits Do Organic Foods Have?

The demand for organically grown foods is growing with the realization that chemical fertilizers and pesticides are the major cause of the damage to our environment. Organic farmers do not use any chemicals on their plants, yet they are able to keep the crops healthy by using the right fertilizers and pesticides as well as organic fertilizers for the crops they grow. However, even on organic farms there are residues left from some pesticides and fertilizers that can still reach the crops, especially if they are harvested before they are fully developed. These residues can prove very harmful for animals and humans eating these foods.

Most of the organic farmers have access to pure water sources, which allow them to grow crops without the presence of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This helps conserve water resources, which is a scarce commodity in today’s world where many water sources are polluted and drying up. A pure source of water is essential for an organic farmer to get the proper nutrients that their crops need, which can help them produce more crops.

The effects of pesticide residue found on organic produce was researched by an environmental working group called the Environmental Working Group. These researchers performed an experiment with over two thousand pounds of organic and non organic spinach found in a grocery store database. They found twenty-four percent of the samples contained higher levels of pesticides than the control group. This finding supports the argument that pesticides can affect the human body and as a result, the consumption of pesticides may pose a serious threat to public health. It also supports the argument that no pesticides should remain on our food because they can be absorbed through the skin into our bodies.

It is now necessary for consumers to pay more attention to the chemicals they apply to their food. Just because they are labeled as organic doesn’t mean that they aren’t dangerous. In fact, most pesticides contain high levels of sodium and potassium, which can be toxic to our bodies. In order to get adequate amounts of nutrients from our food we must eat it without any pesticides. Unfortunately, in order to avoid pesticides on our food we must also consume foods grown with very high levels of chemical fertilizers.

Because organic vegetables and fruits have had no pesticides added to them during their production, the nutrients from these natural products can pass through the skin of the plant to us. Organic vegetables are often free of herbicides and pesticides. The absence of these toxins enables the produce to have a much higher concentration of vitamins and minerals in comparison to conventional crops. The best vegetables are those grown organically without the use of pesticides. Many of these foods have much higher concentrations of nutrients than conventional vegetables.

Another benefit of organic methods of farming is that they protect the environment from the adverse effects of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. A good example is the use of manure. Manure is considered the base material for compost, which is used to add nutrients back to the soil. Many farmers that practice organic methods of farming rotate their livestock over a large area so that the manure is spread over an extensive area.

With the presence of no pesticides and herbicides in the soil, there is no chance of insect infestation, and no chance of soil erosion. This means that organic farms are not being sprayed with pesticides and herbicides for the sake of keeping insects away from their food. Insects often become an issue when farms are sprayed with pesticides to control pests. These insects can be bad for humans because of the fact that they carry diseases. Organic farms are not sprayed with pesticides to control pests; however, they do use chemicals to protect their plants. When an insect decides to hitch a ride, or bites, an organic farm’s response to this problem is to use chemical-free pesticides.

A benefit of organic farming is that the produce has a higher levels of nutrients, as a result of no chemical applications. It is able to absorb the vitamins and minerals found in the soil, and because of the high levels of these beneficial compounds in the crop, the fruit and vegetables will actually have more nutrients than conventional crops. As a result, the farmer reaps a higher profit for his or her family. In the end, the family can eat healthier meals.