Eating organic has become an immensely popular habit for many families across the United States over the past decade. We see it in stores, on T.V., and hear that it is better for us. What exactly are the benefits of eating organic foods, though? Do we really know?
Before we get into all of that though, it’s important to know some of the difference between conventional and organic farming.
Some evidence has come from scientific research that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than their non organic counterparts. According to these studies, some of the health benefits to eating organic foods are:
- Dramatically reduced pesticide levels in children’s bodies.
- Contains higher total antioxidants and beneficial phytonutrients (polyphenols and flavonoids)
- Organic milk and meat are high in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugate linoleic acid, which can help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.
There are other benefits to eating organic aside from being good for your body:
- It’s good for farmers. Farmers often get sick from being in constant contact with toxic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Eating organic also support small, local farmers.
- It’s good for animals. Organic practices ensure livestock are not given antibiotics or artificial growth hormones, and are kept strong and healthy through good nutrition and humane living conditions.
- It’s good for the environment. Chemicals that are used in conventional farming contaminate the soil, rivers, drinking water and air. Also organic produce comes from closer areas, which reduces the distance that carriers have to travel and leaves a lighter carbon footprint.
So how do you know that what you are buying at your grocery store is organic? If something is labeled 100 percent organic, then the product must be either completely organic or made of all organic ingredients. If a product is labeled organic or has the label below, then the product must be at least 95 percent organic.
There is still much research being done on the nutritional value of eating organic compared to conventionally grown products, not to mention that organically grown products are pricey right now. To keep costs low and still live a healthy lifestyle, keep these tips in mind:
- Select a variety of foods from a variety of sources.
- Buy fruits and vegetables in season when possible.
- Read food labels carefully.
- Wash and scrub fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.
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