Why do you eat organic food?

My environmental evolution began with animal rights which lead me to conservation and vegetarianism.  Upon further research into health and agriculture, I learned organically-grown food was best all around.

There are so many reasons organic food is better for our earth and health, but many of these reasons have not been reinforced with studies, partially because many studies are conducted by petrochemical and GMO companies to assure the public and farmers their products are safe.

A new study has found that organic food is higher in antioxidants and contain less pesticides than conventional crops.

The Organic Farming Research Foundation reports:

In a new study published today in the British Journal of Nutrition researchers at Newcastle University in England have found that organic crops overall contain 17% more key anti-oxidants than non-organically grown crops, while some classes of anti-oxidants known as flavinones, were found at a rate 69% higher. Anti-oxidants are components in fighting cancer and are thought to play a key role in preventing heart disease and neurodegenerative disease

The research analysed 343 studies into the differences between organic and conventional crops and found that switching to organic foods would provide anti-oxidants equivalent to eating 1-2 extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The research also shows that organic crops have markedly lower levels of toxic heavy metals, including 50% less cadmium.  Pesticide residues were four times more likely to be found in conventional crops than organic ones.

It is clear we should avoid putting heavy metals into our bodies, but what are the benefits of increased antioxidants?

Antioxidants prevent cell damage and possibly disease. There is concern about antioxidant supplementation, so the best of these important nutrients is your food.

It is not just a little bit of extra antioxidants in organic food…it’s a lot!   I think it quite amazing that the extra levels of antioxidants in organic food equals one to two portions of fruits and vegetables a day!