The argument of organic versus non-organic food is an ongoing one in health communities, among scientists and food conscious people. Is organic really that much better? Is the difference even worth it? While we can’t speak definitively for a switch to all organic produce for everyone, there are significant benefits that come from going all-natural.
1. Less Toxic Chemicals for Your Body
A big pull for many people to switch over to organic foods is the elimination of harmful pesticides during the harvesting process. One of the main chemicals that can be found in conventionally harvested foods is cadmium. Cadmium is a toxic metal found in many pesticides that can cause cancer and negatively affect your brain, heart, kidney, and reproductive health. According to studies, there is about 48% more cadmium found in non-organic foods
, which could be harmful to your health if accumulated over time. Keeping exposure to cadmium as minimal as possible is ideal, because by nature, it accumulates easily and takes a lot for your body to remove it. The amount found in any given fruit or vegetable is within regulation, but the lower levels of cadmium in organic foods are a huge upside to making the switch over from conventional foods.
2. Higher Antioxidants
Antioxidants combat waste produced by cells called free radicals. Free radicals, when left unattended, damages our cell walls—resulting in a poorly functioning cell or even the death of a cell. The cellular damage done by free radicals can lead to cancer and bone deterioration, specifically, putting your bodily wellbeing at risk. There are thousands of different substances which can serve as antioxidants, and organic produce provides more of them for us than their less-natural counterparts. In fact, some studies even showed that the difference is as much as 40%
more antioxidants in organic fruits and vegetables than the daily suggested serving of conventional produce. Antioxidants are also known to help prevent heart disease and cancer.
3. Better for the Environment
Aside from the typical health benefits, contributing to a healthier Earth is yet another reason to stick to organic food products. The harvesting process for conventional produce uses excess amounts of pesticides and preservatives, which not only damage the crops’ health benefits, but also seep into the soil as well as the water runoff. This can affect any plants, food or water sources it comes into contact with. When we drink water or eat the produce that are grown using contaminated water, it can cause long term effects on our bodies and the natural environment beyond those farms. Organic foods, on the other hand, use natural fertilizers and stay away from the harmful processes used in conventional farming. This keeps down toxic presence in our food and water sources and promotes a healthy Earth overall. It all adds up, and making a small switch to choosing organic food can be a great act of love for Mother Earth.
Seeking out organic options the next time you go to the store is really worth it and will better your health and the environment around you in the long run. Another great option you can try is venturing to your nearest farmers market. There, you’ll find the healthiest, freshest produce options and you’ll be supporting the local community, too. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Do you have any smart, organic-eating tips? Let us know in the comments below!