Organic Vs Non-Organic Foods

There is much discussion as to whether organic foods are healthier than their non-organic counterparts. The key is to research your diet, and understand the differences. Some of the factors to look out for are antibiotics, hormones, and cancer.

Body composition

One of the most important decisions you'll make in your quest for a healthier life is what kind of food you're going to eat. While avoiding the likes of high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and flavorings will get the job done, you'll have to be a little picky about what you're eating. For starters, you'll need to choose organic foods and other less obvious options. Luckily, the United States Department of Agriculture has put together an easy to use, organic certification program to help guide the way.

There are many ways to measure the body's oomph, from skin caliper pinches to bioelectrical impedance. The most expensive of these is the most accurate. As for which one you choose, it's a matter of your budget and what you want to be eating.

Cancer

A recent study in France suggests that organic vs. non-organic foods might be associated with reduced cancer risk. This study examined 68,946 adults, asking them about their food intake and cancer diagnoses. They found that those who ate the most organic foods had lower incidences of cancer.

The French Ministry of Health and the National Institute for Agricultural Research funded the study. It also involved the support of Paris 13 University, the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, and the French Institute for Health Surveillance.

For the purposes of the study, participants answered questions regarding their food habits, and were followed up for five years. In addition to determining the incidences of cancer, they also collected other data.

Hormones

Organic foods are foods that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics. These foods are known to contain higher levels of antioxidants and other compounds that can be beneficial to human health.

Several studies have investigated the effects of organic foods on human health. Some of these have produced mixed results. Others have shown that eating an organic diet is associated with reduced risk for cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer. But, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.

One study examined the relationship between the frequency of organic food consumption and cancer incidence in women. The association was strong, and the effect was highly significant.

Antibiotics

It's no secret that antibiotics are the order of the day, particularly in conventional animal rearing operations. This practice can be bad for the environment and the human race alike. Luckily, there is an alternative. Organic farms are a boon to the discerning consumer. Not only do they produce better food, but they also contribute to better health for us all by eliminating the need for artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Aside from this, they are a better choice for our local ecosystems.

To determine just how much of a boon organic production is for us human beings, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected samples of the milk from more than 1900 dairy farms in 2015. The FDA tested the samples for 31 different drugs, including the aforementioned fad. Interestingly, the number of cows treated in an organic setting was actually lower than for the non-organic counterpart.

Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a weed killer that farmers commonly use. It is used to kill weeds before they can damage crops. But some studies have found that glyphosate may cause chronic illness.

The Environmental Working Group commissioned a study to test for glyphosate in oats. They found that 31 out of 45 samples had more than 160 parts per billion (ppb) of the chemical. For the most part, the glyphosate levels were higher in conventional oats than in organic oats.

Organic oats also detected traces of glyphosate, at 10 to 30 ppb. However, the amount of glyphosate in the plants was less than the EPA limits.

Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

Organic and synthetic fertilizer and pesticides are two products that are popular for use in gardening. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, the organic ones are generally considered to be safer for people and the environment.

For starters, the nutrients that are present in organic fertilizers are obtained from the natural sources of plant and animal products. They include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Some fertilizers contain water-soluble nitrogen as well. The nitrogen content of such products is more readily available to plants.

Moreover, organic fertilizers are easy to use. You need to add them to the soil. Once they are added, the bacteria and other organisms in the soil break them down. These bacteria convert the organic matter into soluble nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are organic fruits?

Organic food is free from pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and hormones. Organic foods contain more nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, as well as omega-3 fatty oils. These ingredients are good for our bodies as well as the planet.

Organic foods are made using sustainable agricultural practices, which protect soil quality and promote biodiversity. They are free of harmful chemicals and sewage sludge.

Many organic products are not associated with produce. They include dairy and meat, poultry, eggs baked goods, pet food, household cleaning supplies, and personal care products.

The USDA defines organic as crops grown in accordance with strict federal regulations. To grow these foods, farmers cannot use non-organic (or conventional) methods. They may however use approved natural pest management methods like crop rotation or cover cropping as well as organic feeds.

In addition, the farmer must follow guidelines regarding how much fertilizer and pesticide he uses during the growing season and rotate his fields between various crops. GMOs (genetically modified organisms), synthetic growth hormones and insecticides as well as synthetic fertilizers are prohibited by farmers.

The requirements for organic fruits and vegetables are met if they are labeled 100 percent organic. However, some farms won't claim that their products are 100% organic. This would confuse the consumers. Instead, they will say that their product is "made with organic components". "

How can you tell if your produce is organic?

If you want to make sure that you are buying organic produce, look for these three labels:

USDA Organic Certified – This certification is issued by USDA to ensure that the product is 100% organic.

Certified Naturally Grown - Produce that has passed strict requirements for organic practices but has not yet received certification from the USDA.

Pastured/Free Range – Produced from animals that live outdoors and graze on grasses or herbs.

These labels signify that the product meets a specific set of criteria.

• No synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
• No genetically modified organisms
• Animals are not given antibiotics.
• Animals never receive hormones
• No growth-promoting drugs
• No feed additives
• No artificial ingredients
• No irradiation
• No sewage solids
• No GMOs
• Antibiotics have never been administered
• No hormones ever given
• No growth-promoting drugs
• No feed-additives
• No artificial ingredients
• No sewage sludge (if it's a non-GMO)
• No irradiation

I hope that this article was useful!

Why is organic food important

Our health is dependent on organic produce. Organic produce is the best way to eat healthy foods. It is healthier for us than any pesticides or fertilizers and it is also more eco-friendly.

Organic farming uses natural methods to grow crops without harmful chemicals. Organic farming is safer for animals and humans because it produces fewer pollutants. By choosing organic food, you are protecting the planet as well as yourself.

But organic food offers more than just health benefits. We all know how bad processed food can make us feel. But did you know that most organic fruits and vegetables aren't treated with chemical spray either? That means that they taste fresher, look brighter and last longer too.

It's because organic is healthy for you and the planet. It's healthy for you and the planet.

Are organic foods better for us?

According to the Environmental Working Group's recent report on pesticide residues within foods, organic fruits & vegetables contained nearly half of the pesticides that non-organic varieties. They found that organic apples contained eight times fewer pesticides than non-organic apples, while organic strawberries were four times cleaner than their conventional counterparts.

Another study suggests that organic food can reduce exposure to toxic metals such as lead and mercury. One study found that organic meats had 33 percent less lead in children than the levels of those who did not eat them. A second study found that conventional fish should be avoided by pregnant women due to the high levels of mercury.

Overall, organic food does seem to be safer than its non-organic counterpart. Experts recommend that fresh produce and vegetables be used whenever possible to reduce your chances of developing cancer.

What is inorganic?

Organic food is not produced with pesticides or artificial fertilizers. These chemicals can be harmful for your health.

Organic food can be grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides herbicides, fungicides, and other harmful substances. These chemicals can cause harm to animals and humans.

Inorganic food includes meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, honey, grains, vegetables, fruits, spices, and herbs.

Organic refers the way an agricultural product grows. Organic farming, for example, uses natural methods and soil amendments in order to grow crops. Conventional farming, however, uses pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), must ensure that organic food meets strict standards. According to the National Organic Program Standards all organic food must be free of banned materials such as antibiotics growth hormones genetically modified organisms GMOs, and industrial solvents. Organic food must not be produced with toxic chemicals, petroleum or sewage sludges or ionizing radioactive substances.

Does organic mean that it is not sprayed with pesticides?

Organic food is chemical-free and grown without pesticides. This means there is little or no exposure to chemicals such as fertilizers and herbicides.

Organic produce also contains more nutrients than conventionally produced foods because it contains no harmful additives.

Farmers must follow strict guidelines to grow organic crops under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).

These guidelines address soil preparation, crop rotations, pest control, water conservation, harvesting, and other practices.

Organic farming methods also benefit wildlife and natural environments.

What are organic products that can be used on the skin?

Organic skincare products don't contain any synthetic chemicals such as parabens or phthalates.

Organic skincare products are also free of artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, GMOs, petrochemicals, animal testing (except cosmetics tested on animals), pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

They also have the ability to support healthy skin, prevent premature ageing, promote healing after injuries and overall well-being.

Here are some common terms you might encounter when searching for organic products

• Paraben Free: These are chemicals that keep certain cosmetic products stable. However, they can be toxic if used in large quantities.
• Fragrance-Free: The product is free of essential oils or fragrances.
• Cruelty-Free--No animals were hurt in the manufacturing process.
• Natural Ingredients – The ingredient is naturally derived either from a plant or an animal.
• Vegan/Vegetarian - the ingredients are either vegan or vegetarian.
• Gluten-Free - this means that gluten was removed from the formulation.
• Non-Toxic: The product does not contain toxic substances, carcinogens or any other harmful compounds that could cause harm to your health.
• Biodegradable - The product will eventually be broken down into harmless parts when it is disposed of.
• Pesticide Free – There were no pesticides used during the harvesting or growing process.
• GMO-Free: This means that no product ingredient contains genetically engineered organisms.
• Certified Organic is a certification that the ingredients of the recipe were grown using sustainable methods.

Statistics

• Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
• Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids were up to 50 percent higher in organic meats and milk than in conventionally raised products.[3] (en.wikipedia.org)
• Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
• According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

doi.org

• A Review of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: Cancer Risk and Occupational Pesticide Expositions: Part B: Vol 15, Number 4
• Genetically modified food: safety, risk and public concerns - a review - Journal of Food Science and Technology

ecfr.gov

• eCFR Home

ewg.org

• EWG's 2022 Shopper’s Guide to pesticides in produce
• Clean Fifteen(tm). Conventional Produce with the Least Pesticides

usda.gov

• USDA

How To

Is there anything negative about buying organic products?

The benefits of organic food are well known. There are however some downsides. These include higher consumer costs, lower quality standards and fewer options.

It's okay to want more variety in grocery shopping. But we've been conditioned to expect cheap foods that taste awful. This is why grocery stores are stocked with the same prepackaged products.

But today, organic food is becoming increasingly popular because it offers better nutrition and tastes great. How do you convince people to spend a little more for organic food?

It's possible to tell them that organic food is more expensive. This doesn't necessarily mean organic food tastes better. It may even make them question your motives.

Instead, you should highlight its many benefits. Organic food is healthier and contains less pesticides, antibiotics, and it has higher nutritional content. It's also grown without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, so it's better for the environment and us.

Organic food is often avoided by people who think it's too expensive. If they take into account the health benefits, however, they might decide that spending a few extra dollars per week is worthwhile.

Organic food tastes better, because it's made under strict guidelines to prevent contamination. Organic food tends to have more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

Organic food is also more delicious because it's harvested later in the season. This makes the food more fresh and easier to digest.

Finally, organic food is generally cheaper because farmers grow it organically, which requires less labour and fertilizer.