Is Organic Food Really the Healthier Choice?

Since organic food started to gain popularity in the late 1990’s, people have been skeptical about the superiority of organics. Many people claimed that the benefits of organic over traditional products could not be proven. The truth is that there had simply not been enough testing done to prove the benefits of organic products or the drawbacks of traditionally produced food.

There have been various studies done to show the improved nutritional value of organic agriculture by analyzing the vitamin, nutrient, and mineral content of both organically and traditionally grown produce. There are significantly higher levels of various components in organic products, including:

* Chromium, prevents hardening of the arteries and type 2 diabetes
* Calcium and Boron, build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis
* Lithium, a common chemical in antidepressants and mood stabilizers
* Salicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory which can prevent heart disease
* Antioxidants, protect cells from damage
* Magnesium, helps prevent death during a heart attack
* Selenium, helps prevent heart disease and certain cancers
* Vitamin C, builds the immune system

While this list seems rather long, it’s not complete. While these nutrients have been found organic produce, they aren’t the only ones. This list could also get longer as more research is done about the nutrient benefits of organic food.

While it’s important to look at the beneficial properties of organic food, we must take into account the harmful effects of traditionally grown foods to fully understand why organic food is superior. When many of the chemicals used in farming were approved, there had been little research to show whether or not these chemicals we harmful. Research has since found that most of these chemicals have negative effects on humans. Non-organic foods have been analyzed and have been found to contain harmful chemicals, heavy metals, solvents, and various hormones. Some of the conditions linked with these substances include:

* cancer
* heart disease
* osteoporosis
* migraines
* hyperactivity
* decreased intelligence
* impaired hearing
* less growth in childhood
* anemia
* Alzheimer’s
* multiple sclerosis
* rheumatoid arthritis
* early puberty
* increase in antibiotic-resistant disease strains

Again, this list is just part of the harmful side effects of these chemicals. There are likely many more conditions to be added to this list after more research is done. Also, most of the research has been done on the affects of single chemicals, and not multiple offenders as are normally found on conventional food. While several of these chemicals have been banned, they are still present in regular and organic food. This is because they linger in the soil; some have been there for over 20 years.

While there are obviously many benefits to organic agriculture, it is not without its faults. First of all, organic products are more expensive. Depending on where you buy organic food, it could cost twice as much as regular grocery store brands. There is also concern that natural fertilizers such as plant material and manure could contain harmful organisms, such as e coli. Although this can be rare it can also make consumers very sick.

Even with the drawbacks, organic food production is proving to be much safer for consumption than other foods available. Along with the health benefits, organic agricultural practices also benefit the environment; keeping it viable for years to come.

Organic Fruit and Gourmet
 

Articles: Organic Lifestyle

Benefits of Consuming Raw Organic Food

One of the latest diet crazes is the raw food diet. It may seem like an odd idea to eat all your food raw, but it’s really only natural. All the animals on the planet eat raw food except for humans and those raised by humans. And those that eat cooked food tend to have a shorter lifespan and more widespread disease. Before you dismiss raw food as the latest fad diet, take a look at the benefits it has to offer.

Certified Organic Body Products

There are body products popping up on shelves everywhere marked as “organic”. They claim to be much more beneficial for you than other body products. You’re probably thinking “what are organic body products and are they really better for me?” Well, organic body products are actually a complicated issue; there’s no simple answer, but here’s some help for sorting it out.

Getting Started On Organic Foods – The Basics

Organic foods and products are becoming more and more popular, but if you don’t know a lot about organic food; you probably don’t realize why they’re worth spending the extra money on. Here’s some information that will hopefully help you make the healthy switch to organics.

Is Organic Food Really the Healthier Choice?

Since organic food started to gain popularity in the late 1990’s, people have been skeptical about the superiority of organics. Many people claimed that the benefits of organic over traditional products could not be proven. The truth is that there had simply not been enough testing done to prove the benefits of organic products or the drawbacks of traditionally produced food.

Organic Food Delivery – The Easy Way to Eat Right.

If you have kids, you’ve probably had some crazy grocery store experiences. You have to take the time to get each kid to stop what they’re doing, get ready, and get into the car. You then have to battle traffic on the streets and in parking lots while your kids are going wild and crazy in the back seat.

Why Every Parent Should Switch to Organic Baby Food

Many parents see organic baby food in health food stores or regular grocery aisles and simply pass it by. You probably think “I grew up on regular baby food and I’m fine”. Think about it this way, do you baby proof your gardening chemicals, or is your baby allowed to eat and drink pesticides? Okay perhaps it’s not an equal comparison, after all there are only small amounts of toxic chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers in traditional baby food but do you really want to take the risk?

Benefits of Organic Produce

Buying organic produce has become an increasing trend in recent years. Many people buy it because it’s natural and don’t even bother to research the benefits of these kinds of foods. By buying organic produce you are helping your family and the environment stay healthy and happy for years to come.

Eat Organic Food and Help the Planet

When most people hear the term “organic”, they think of decreased chemical use. In reality, organic agricultural production involves so much more than that. Organic agriculture is a fairly strict form of sustainable agriculture; a way of producing food products without harming the land. Its main goal is to work the land without preventing future generations from being able to use it as well. By buying organic products, you’re not only feeding your family safer food and preventing hazardous chemicals from entering the environment; you’re also protecting future generations.

How to Grow Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden

Wish you could have fresh, flavorful vegetables right at your fingertips all season long? Do you want to be confident that your vegetables are safe for your family to eat? Well, you can have all that and more. Growing your own organic vegetable garden not only assures fresh, safe, great tasting vegetables all season long; it also provides you with exercise, stress relief, and the knowledge that your hard work is accomplishing great things for your family. If this sounds like something you’d love to try, here are a few tips you need to know before you get started.

Losing Weight by Eating Organic Foods

Right now, it seems like everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. They take pills and go on the latest diet looking for a quick fix. The truth is, there’s no miracle diet that will help you take off 20 pounds overnight, but there are things that can give you that extra boost to finally take the weight off once and for all. One great “extra boost” is organic food. These are foods grown without pesticides, hormones, preservatives, and other harmful chemicals. They are designed to work naturally with the environment around them and within the body of the person who eats them. Eating healthy with organics can help you finally take off those excess pounds naturally.

Is Organic Pet Food Worth the Extra Cash?

One of the latest health food crazes is organic food. It used to be only a handful of farmers produced organic products. Even when organics became widespread, only a few different food products were available. Now there’s an organic alternative to almost every product on the market, snack foods, shampoo, and now even pet food. You’re probably thinking “organic pet food, that’s crazy”, but consider this: when national dog shows are sponsored by a dog food company, the winner gets free dog food. Most winners then donate that food to local shelters instead of giving it to their dogs. Why? Because they know traditional dog foods are bad for dogs.

What is the Future of Organic Foods?

It seems the organic phenomenon has been sweeping markets all over the world. More and more people have been switching to healthier, pesticide free versions of their favorite fruits, vegetables, meats, and even snack food. But what about ten or twenty years from now? Will the organic food phenomena last or fade away?

Where to Buy Organic Foods

Many people are taking advantage of more readily available sources of organic food such as supermarkets and big chain health food stores. While these are more convenient, there are other places to buy organic products. Knowing where organics are available means finding the best prices and quality. Here are some of the more common and uncommon places to buy organic produce.

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