Organic Food
The term “organic” refers
to how certain foods are produced. Organic foods are grown and produced without
using synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and artificial fertilizers. They
do not use genetically
modified (GMO) components or expose food to irradiation. In order to be
labelled organic, a food product must be free of artificial food additives.
This includes artificial sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, flavoring, and
Monosodium Glutamate(MSG).
Organic agriculture, is
governed by strict government standards, requires that products bearing the
organic label are produced without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides
and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic
engineering or other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation.
Organic farmers understand that what you put into the soil has a profound impact on what you get out of it. That is why they rely on such practices as hand weeding, mechanical control, mulches, cover crops, crop rotation and dense planting, rather than toxic and persistent pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, to enrich the soil in which they grow their crops. Organically grown crops tend to use natural fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Organic farming tends to improve soil quality and the conservation of groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the environment. They recognize that doing so provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow. Plus, it enables the absorption of major and micro-nutrients like Vitamin C, resulting in a higher nutrient content and often a better tasting crop.
It all starts with practices to help build healthy soils, which nurture the plants and help decrease the incidence of plant disease. In order to earn organic certification, land must be handled without prohibited materials for at least three years. With certification, organic farmers must develop an organic operating farm plan, which is overseen by their certification agency with annual third-party inspections.The most commonly purchased organic foods are fruits, vegetables, grains , dairy products and meat. Processed organic products are also available, such as sodas, cookies, tea and etc.
Benefit of Organic foods
Organic products reduce public health risks to farm workers, their families, and consumers by minimizing their exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals on the farm and in food, the soil in which they work and play, the air they breathe, and the water they drink. Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Thus, offering organic food and fiber products into the marketplace gives parents the option of choosing products produced without the use of these toxins.
Not only does organic production help reduce public health risks, mounting evidence shows that food grown organically are rich in nutrients, such as Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, with less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues in organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grains when compared to conventionally grown products.
While proving health benefits of eating a particular food is a complex question to answer, evidence is mounting that there are some healthier nutritional profiles linked to consuming various organic products. For instance, a research article published in December 2013 found that organic whole milk contained significantly higher concentrations of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids compared to milk from cows raised on conventionally managed dairy farms. Meanwhile, a research article published in the journal Food Chemistry found organic soybeans have a healthier nutritional profile from conventionally grown or genetically modified Roundup Ready soybeans.
- May contain more nutrients
Studies comparing the nutrient content of organic and
non-organic foods have had mixed results.
This is most likely due to natural variation in food handling and production.
However, evidence does suggest that foods grown organically may be more
nutritious.
Several studies have
compared the nutritional content of organic and conventionally grown plants,
and most have shown no significant differences in key vitamin and mineral
content. Although the differences are small – research has shown that some
organic food has:
·
Lower nitrate levels
·
Higher vitamin C levels
·
Higher levels of some minerals (such as phosphorous, magnesium
and iron)
- Have more antioxidants and vitamins
Several older studies
have found that organic foods generally contain higher levels of antioxidants and
certain micronutrients, such as vitamin C, zinc, and iron.In
fact, antioxidant levels can be up to 69% higher in these foods
A 2003 study found that
organically grown berries and corn contained 58% more antioxidants and up
to 52% higher amounts of vitamin C
What’s more, one study
reported that replacing regular fruit, vegetables and cereals with organic
versions could provide extra antioxidants in your diet. This was comparable to
eating 1–2 extra portions of fruit and vegetables daily
Organic plants do not rely
on chemical pesticide sprays to protect themselves. Instead, they produce more
of their own protective compounds, namely antioxidants.
This may partly explain the higher levels of antioxidants in these plants.
- Nitrate levels are generally lower
Organically grown crops have also been shown to have lower levels of nitrate. In fact, studies have shown that nitrate levels are 30% lower in these crops.
High nitrate levels are
associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer .They’re also
associated with a condition called methemoglobinemia, a disease in infants that
affects the body’s ability to carry oxygen.
Organic for your Home and Body
When choosing organic
products, most consumers start with organic food items such as fresh produce
and milk. However, there is a wide diversity of other organic products
available, including organic apparel and beds/bedding, cleaning and household
products, nutritional supplements, organic flowers, and even organic pet food.
Our choices when doing the laundry, selecting apparel, and buying personal care
products all have an impact on the health of our planet. Choosing products made
with organic ingredients is an easy way to ensure that this impact is
a positive one.
All organic non-food products are produced without the use of toxic and
persistent pesticides, as well as synthetic fertilizers. As a result, choosing
an organic t-shirt, organic dog food, an organic personal care or an organic
nutritional supplement help prevent damage to valuable water resources, protect
species diversity, and combat climate change.
Environmental Benefits of Organic Food
Organic agriculture is
based on practices that not only protect environmental health, but also strive
to improve it.
Instead of relying on
synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that can deplete the soil of valuable
nutrients and increase environmental degradation, organic
agriculture builds up soil using such practices as composting, cover
cropping, and crop rotation.
In addition, organic
farmers strive to preserve and protect natural habitats with the understanding
that a diverse biological landscape helps to feed both people and the
planet.
Organic practices help
keep our water supply clean of run-off from toxic and persistent chemicals.
Moreover, by prohibiting the use of petroleum-based fertilizers and absorbing
carbon dioxide from the air, organic agriculture helps to reduce our carbon footprint
and combat climate change.
Research has also shown that organic farms are able to support more species
than conventional farms. In a study published February 2014 in the Journal
of Applied Ecology, researchers from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland
found that on average, organic farms supported 34 percent more plant, insect
and animal species than those using conventional methods. In addition, the
organic farms had 50 percent higher pollinator species diversity.
Organic foods promote
healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources. Modern conventional
farming methods include excessive use of chemicals and planting only one crop
multiple times (monocropping). This has led to a decline in soil fertility, and
an increase in salinity and blue-green algae
in waterways over many years.
Organic farmers try to
minimise damage to the environment by diversifying their crops, using physical
weed control, and animal and green manure.
Reasons to buy Organic Food
Most people buy
organically-grown food products because they are concerned about
pesticides, additives,
antibiotics or other chemical residues and believe organic food is healthier.
Other reasons include –
concerns with the impact of conventional farming on biodiversity and the
environment, and the ethical treatment of livestock.
Organic foods promote
more humane treatment of animals, as well as providing meat that is free from
hormones and antibiotics.
Also, some people worry
about the long-term health, economic and environmental consequences of GM foods
and choose organic foods in support of an industry that does not use GM
techniques.
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