In simple terms, going organic means eating food that have been grown and processed without the chemicals. Organic crops are grown in safe soil with no genetic modifications, no pesticides, and no chemical fertilizers. Organic livestock are nourished with organic feed and not allowed to be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products. Certain organizations in some countries strictly implement standards for products to be labelled as organic.
So, why should we go organic? Here are 5 surprisingly simple reasons to consider:
1. Our Health
Pesticides (such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) have ill effects to the body and conventional agriculture uses all these chemical to ensure good harvest. Residues remain on (and in) the food we eat and unfortunately, rinsing will not wash away all these pesticide residues. Continued exposure can cause these chemicals to bio-accumulate in the body building up to harmful levels and thus, cause certain health problems. This have been associated with the increased likelihood of developing cancer (such as brain cancer, breast, prostate, liver, lung, and skin cancers), neurological problems (increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia), and reproductive issues (such as birth defects, fetal deaths, and even infertility for males).[1]
When crops are grown without chemical pesticides, the plant produce its own defenses in the form of antioxidants. Organic food have significantly more antioxidants (20 to 40% higher) than conventional crops thus, we have more defense against sickness and diseases.[2] Organic crops also have lower starch and sugar content because unlike conventional crops, they don’t use synthetic fertilizers that has high nitrogen content. Nitrogen helps the plant grow quickly, but because they grow quickly, antioxidants don’t get the chance to develop and instead, sugar and starch takes their place.[2] More calories? Eww
Conventional livestock are constantly given growth hormones, drugs, and feed supplements to grow bigger, faster, and force them to produce more milk and eggs. Growth hormones increases infertility in cows and has been linked to cause prostate and breast cancer on humans.[4] And because animals have been pushed too hard, they end up sick, hence, the heavy antibiotic use.[3] Organic livestock prohibits virtually all that and as end result, will produce healthier meat, milk, eggs and dairy products. Organic livestock also spend at least 30% of their lives outdoors, grazing on grass which is awesome because studies have revealed that organic meat that are grass-fed has 60% more omega-3s, 200% more vitamin E, and 2 to 3 times as much CLA, the cancer fighting fat.[4] Organic chicken also has been found to contain 28% more omega-3 fatty acid compared to their non-organic counterpart.
2. Organic is GMO-free
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), or Genetically Engineered (GE) foods, are plants or animals whose DNA has been modified in order to be resistant to pesticides or to produce its own insecticide. For example, majority of sweet corn consumed in the US is genetically modified to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup and to produce its own insecticide, Bt Toxin. [5] Since GMOs are engineered to withstand herbicide, this further encouraged the use of the toxic pesticide Roundup, thus, more pesticide in our food.
The link between GMOs and serious diseases are yet inconclusive but we need to steer away from unknown and untested genetically engineered foods. Organic foods, on the other hand, are never genetically modified.
3. Our Taste Buds
Organic food are harvested from well-balanced soil, and studies have suggested that they tend to have higher levels of flavor-enhancing nutrients[3] with lower sugar and starch content,[2] thus, fruits and vegetables are healthier and with more intense flavors. The intense flavor in organic fruits and vegetables is also attributed to its higher level of antioxidants, which also allows the produce to have longer shelf life.[6] And since organic food don’t have preservatives to make them last longer, they are fresher. Fresh food definitely tastes better.
4. To Look Better
Indulging on a healthier diet will reflect on our overall well-being. Healthier food higher in nutrient content and antioxidants will bring out the best in us. That, and an article from menshealth.com which says that a study have revealed that eating organic foods can help build more muscle and burn more fat.[7] So yeah, it’s the whole package baby.
5. Help Heal the Planet
Organic farming is farming in harmony with nature. Organic agriculture respects and encourages the balance of nature, thus, certain practices are required so that water resources are protected, soil health is enhanced and wildlife, insects and organisms are able to perform their role in the ecosystem. Pesticides and chemicals not only endanger the people living around farms, they also put at risk the delicate balance of nature. According to David Pimentel, a Cornell entomologist, about 0.1% of applied pesticides reach the target pests, more than 99% is left to damage the environment.[8] Organic farming do not permit the use of toxic chemicals, thus we save our planet one organic apple at a time.
Sure, going organic will cost us a bit more, but the benefits of choosing organic far outweigh any reason against it. Let’s all lead a healthier lifestyle, starting today. Let’s go organic.
References:
[1] – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_pesticides
[2] – http://wtop.com/news/2014/07/study-organic-foods-are-more-nutritious-taste-better/
[3] – http://organic-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TOC_TopTen_GoOrganic_2pager_5a-6.1.12-1.pdf
[4] – http://www.cbsnews.com/news/shocking-reasons-to-go-organic-16-03-2010/
[5] – http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm
[6] – http://organic-center.org/reportfiles/Taste2Pager.pdf
[7] – http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/organic-foods/index.php
[8] – http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/top-reasons-choose-organic-foods?page=3
