What Is the Benefits of Organic Food

You may wonder whether or not you should buy organic foods that are generally more expensive. But there are many benefits of organic foods that you can get in return for the slightly higher cost and it may be worthwhile to switch to organic where organic foods are available.

• Organic foods have a smaller carbon footprint – Usually organic foods, at least fresh foods, are grown locally and do not need to be transported long distances. When you eat food that is local, you get the best of seasonal product and you also contribute to the environment.

• Organic foods are grown without pesticides – Organic foods are naturally grown without harmful pesticides. Often strong pesticides contain harmful neurotoxins that can have a deleterious effect on your health in the long term. When you eat organic foods, you get all the benefits of organic food without the presence of pesticides.

• Organic foods are free of chemicals – Farmers do not use chemicals to fertilize or enrich the soil – they use natural methods like manure, compost and crop rotation to get the most from the soil. This means that among the benefits of organic food is that they are free of chemicals that can build up in the body and cause ill health.

• Organic foods are more delicious – As organic foods are seasonal and grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals, they are also more tasty and flavorful. Among the benefits of organic food is that you get to enjoy better tasting natural foods. Research has actually validated this premise.

• Organic foods have to meet strict government standards – Most governments have standards that have to be met before foods can be labeled as organic. This means that you should be able to trust the label information and these foods are safer for you those foods that may be grown in unhygienic conditions or exposed to unwanted or unnecessary soil and water conditions.

• Organic foods are not genetically modified – GM foods have been known to cause many health problems. While the jury is still out on the good and bad aspects of genetically modified foods, you can avoid the controversy by switching to organic foods that are non GM.

• Organic foods are free of irradiation – Another controversial process is irradiation that actually improves the shelf life of fresh foods. However, irradiation comes with its own set of problems and you can avoid these by using organic foods.

Apart from fresh and seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains and plant foods, the term organic also encompasses eggs, fish, meat and meat products, dairy and processed foods. When you have any dairy or meat, both of which have an animal source, you should know that the foods that are labeled as organic are free of antibiotics and hormones that promote growth and milk production. In fact antibiotic resistance is a large factor in many infections and the animal feed industry is culpable in giving antibiotics to the animals and poultry. Livestock may be not be kept or slaughtered in the most humane conditions, whereas organic meat and dairy is treated in a more humane manner.

Organic farming is also more environmentally friendly as it conserves soil and water resources. The soil is naturally more nutrient dense, product better quality plants and water conservation helps reduce water wastage.

Processed organic foods must have a certain percentage of ingredients that are organic in nature. They must be free of artificial additives and processed as little as possible, in keeping with governmental standards.

While research has not definitely shown that organic foods have a higher vitamin and mineral content, when you eat fresh and local, you know that the foods have not traveled long distance, or been on the shelf for a long time, either of which can reduce nutrient content. Organic foods are also known to have higher antioxidant levels and antioxidants are proven to be good for health.

So should you switch to organic? If you want better health, not be exposed to artificial products, pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics, hormones and other unwanted additives and consider the benefits of organic food, you should certainly make the change.