Studies have demonstrated small to moderate increases in some nutrients in organic products. Organic products may have more of certain antioxidants and types of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Organic foods are not healthier in and of themselves in terms of nutrients. You're still getting the same benefits from conventionally grown foods as from organic foods.
Evidence on whether organic foods contain more antioxidants and nutrients than conventionally grown foods is conflicting. According to data from the USDA, organic foods have less pesticide residues than conventionally grown products. However, the quantities of both types of products are within the safe consumption level. And it's not clear if the pesticides used in organic agriculture are safer than the non-synthetic pesticides used in conventional agriculture.
The verdict on pesticides and fertilizers in terms of the long-term impact on health has not yet been delivered on pesticides and fertilizers. There are many other variables in the environment. It's hard to say that the peach pesticide was the root cause of a health problem, McManus says. There isn't enough evidence to say that organic foods are more or less nutritious than non-organic foods.
Foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, eggs, lean meats, and dairy products are nutritious, whether they are organically grown or not. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or genetically modified foods (GE) are plants whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crosses, usually to be resistant to pesticides or to produce an insecticide. The difference between organic and non-organic (conventional) foods has to do with the way in which food is produced. Some small local farmers use organic methods, but may not be able to afford to obtain organic certification.
Choosing organic foods can reduce exposure to toxins, pesticide residues, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Organic food
requires more labor, as farmers don't use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or medications. And some people choose organic foods not for health reasons, but because they think they taste better. While organic foods have fewer synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and are free of hormones and antibiotics, they don't seem to have a nutritional advantage over their conventional counterparts.McManus says he doesn't recommend organic foods to people, but that he'll talk to them about it if they're concerned about pesticides. Organic foods are regulated by the federal government under the Organic Products Regulation and must comply with the Canadian Organic Standards (COS). Some people may find that organic foods taste better because they can be fresher if produced locally. Making junk food look healthy is a common marketing tactic in the food industry, but organic baked goods, desserts, and snacks are often high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories.
Check out the Environmental Working Group's Clean Fifteen list of foods you can buy normal and the Dirty Dozen list of foods you should spend more on to buy organic products. According to Health Canada, there is no evidence to show that it is safer to eat organic foods instead of conventionally grown foods due to pesticide residues. However, is it really true that organic is healthier? The idea of organic food is a great concept, but it can also make a hole in your wallet. .
