You've
probably noticed the word “organic” popping up in media outlets
and super market aisles. You know that foods marked organic are supposes to be healthier and noticeably pricier, but you can't help
wondering if an organic, non-GMO Food is really that much healthier
than a regular food. They're both food, right?
Read
through the benefits of eating organic food
Pesticide
residue
Conventional
farmers apply anywhere from two to 12 synthetic pesticides to their
crops. An average serving of leafy greens, peppers, berries, tree
fruits, and grapes can contain three to four pesticide residuces,
which have been linked to serious health problems including austim,
obesity and cancer. On the other end of the spectrum, organic
products cannot be grown with pesticides, additives, fortifiers, and
other synthetic substances.
Better
nutrition
Deriving
nutrients from your food is important, but some studies show that the
nutr
ient
value is less in conventional products when compared to its organic
counterparts. In tests, organic fruits win at blind taste tests and
tend to be smaller, brighter in color, and denser. Organic products
test higher in antioxidant levels, including vitamin C, magnesium,
phosphorous, and iron. The difference is in the soil. Organic
products are grown in the soil that is managed and nourished using
sustainable standards.
Avoid
GMOs
While
many countries have banned the practice, Africa and some countries in
the world still genetically engineer food and allow genetically
modified organisms, or GMOs, in the growing food. These products are
artificially manipulated to create genetically modified products that
are unnatural. Buying organic is the only way to ensure you avoid
GMOs, which show up in crops like corn, alfalfa, soy, zucchini,
squash, and more.
Preserve
the environment
Organic
agriculture considers the long-term impact of growing food on the
environment and the ecosystem. Organic farms work to produce food
while establishing a plan to keep the soil nutrient-rich and fertile
for future years.
Unlike
conventional farms whose use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides
pollute the groundwater, organic farms use organic fertilizers like
compost and animal manure to reduce the risk of groundwater
pollution.
Help
a farmer
Support
families in your community by purchasing organic, locally grown
products. As giant agricultural businesses continue to dominate food
production, small family farms have trouble competing with big
business prices. When you buy organic, you support farmers who are
being stewards of the
environment and nutrition. Take it to the next step by buying from
the farmers directly at your local farmers market.
