Jul

10

Is Organic Food Healthier?

Posted by maureen

July 10, 2007 | 2 Comments

When you grocery shop do you head for the organic section? Have you ever wondered if that organic tomato is really worth paying the extra money for? Are organic foods, in fact, better for your health? Yes, according to a ten-year study led by Alyson Mitchell, a food chemist at the University of California. By comparing organic tomatoes with standard produce they found that they had almost double the quantity of antioxidants (called flavonoid) which suggest that organic foods may be better for the heart and general health than eating conventionally grown foods.

Organic Conventionally grown

tomatoe3.jpg Which would you choose? tomatoe4.jpg

Comparisons between the organic and conventional produce have previously been difficult. The study used data from a long term project in which standardized farming techniques were used to reveal trends in crop productivity. The team believes that the different levels of flavonoids in tomatoes are due to the absence of fertilizers in organic farming; conventional tomatoes were “over-fertilization”, the research team concluded. Recent research in Europe found that organic tomatoes also contained more vitamin C, B-carotene and flavonoids than conventionally grown tomatoes. Organic peaches and organic apple pure were also found to have more antioxidants. It’s important to note that even with such benefits, tomato ketchup has higher levels of lycopene ( an antioxidant) that either organic or conventional tomatoes.

Benefits of organic produce:

  • Organic produce are grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides
  • Intensively grown crops have lower nutrient levels
  • Organic produce tastes better

How do you know that organic really is organic?
Putting the organic label on produce means that it has passed the required standards.

  • They are grow without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge (good to know!) and they are processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified
  • Animals have to be reared without routine use of antibiotics or the use of growth hormones in most countries.

How are the standards regulated?

Organic food production is legally regulated in the US and there are penalties for non compliance. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic. However, these three major organic standards are different and separate because they do not recognize each other.
Chances are if you think fruit tasted better years ago then it probably did!!


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Health and Fitness Forum | Health Sundae - Your daily scoop of health, fitness, and nutrition tips on August 5, 2007 2:29 pm

    [...] presents Is Organic Food Healthier?: Empty Nest posted at Empty Nest, asking, “Is it worth paying extra for organic foods and are organic [...]

  2. Nutrition Frenzy » Blog Archive » 5 Top Health and Fitness Tips on August 6, 2007 6:59 am

    [...] presents Is Organic Food Healthier?: Empty Nest posted at Empty Nest, asking, “Is it worth paying extra for organic foods and are organic [...]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

<< Post Navigation >>

« « Social Security and Disability | Irrigating Your Garden » »