Organic food is also extremely trendy these days, with organic food being said to be not only better for the people, but also kinder on the planet than the food that is grown traditionally. Is organic food, however, better for the people, or is it just an expensive fad? In this article, we analyze the health effects, the nutrition content, the effects on the planet, and the economics of organic food so that you can make a balanced cost-benefit analysis.
Nutrient Differences: Organic Food Healthier?
Organic vegetables and fruits can contain higher levels of some nutrients, such as antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress and lower the threat of chronic illness. Organic fruits and vegetables had up to 69% higher levels of antioxidants compared with conventional fruits and vegetables as determined by the meta-analysis on the British Journal of Nutrition. Organic meats and dairy contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the health of the heart.
However, other research, like the 2012 Stanford research, did also find little variation in the total amount of nutrients present in the organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables. That would make the organic fruits and vegetables potentially be healthier, but the variation may not be large enough on a daily basis to be worthwhile for the increased expense.
The effects of pesticide exposure on health
One of the strongest arguments for organically produced vegetables and fruits is the lower exposure to pesticide and herbicide. Exposures to pesticides, long term, have been linked with a wide variety of health complications, including disruption of the endocrine system, neurotoxicity, and increased cancer risk. Organic farming prohibits the application of most synthetic pesticides, which equates to organically produced vegetables and fruits with notably lower levels of pesticide residues.
To this end, the USDA and the FDA regulate the levels of pesticides residues on nonorganic food such that the levels of residues will be less than can be consumed. Organic food lessens the exposure, although not completely since organic farmers also make usage of natural pesticides with their relative health effects.
Environmental and ethical issues
Organic practices prioritize soil fertility, biodiversity, and lower levels of polluting, and thus even deliver lower levels of ecologically damaging effects compared to conventional practices. Some of these sustainable agriculture practices on the long run involve processes like crop rotation, composting, and low usage of chemicals. Organic rearing of animals also offers higher levels of animal welfare with lower levels of repeated usage of antibiotics, and with free housing.
Organic agriculture, however, is lower-yielding compared to conventional agriculture and is also likely to take up more land for the purpose of delivering the same amount of food. That could make it costlier and, on some levels, subject natural ecosystems to greater pressure for fulfilling growing requirements.
Cost vs. Value: Is Organic Worth the Expense?
Organic vegetables and fruits cost much higher compared to their nonorganic alternatives due to the higher cost of production, lower yields, and the cost of certification. The additional expense may prove to be a strong discouragement for those with limited budgets.
To offset cost with health, experts recommend purchasing organic fruits and vegetables most likely to contain pesticide residues, such as strawberries, spinach, and apples (the total of the “Dirty Dozen”). Non-organic fruits and vegetables with trace amounts of pesticide residues, such as avocados and onions (the “Clean Fifteen”), may not be worth the expense.
A Balanced Approach Although
organic food is not entirely free of environmental and health benefits, the nutritional benefit may not be the cost. Consumers will be forced to balance the health and environmental values of lower pesticide residues and better farm methods with their wallet. And ultimately, a balanced diet rich with fruit, vegetables, and whole food—organic, if available, but not necessarily—is the secret of staying healthy. Having the ability to make a decision on scientific fact, cost, and individual health factors is the secret of weathering the controversy of organic and mainstream food.
