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The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as “organic.” Organic crops must be grown in safe soil with no modifications. There can be no use of pesticides, GMOs or petroleum- or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Any actual livestock must be able to access the outdoors and must be fed organic feed. They are not allowed to be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products.
Organic foods have a multitude of benefits. It has been shown that organic foods have more antioxidants than non-organic food. They also seem to be more receptive to people with allergies to certain foods, chemicals or preservatives. The symptoms found in non-organic food seem to decrease or even disappear all together when eating organic foods. Organic foods also contain fewer pesticides. Chemicals used by farmers such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides are harmful to the body, but helpful when growing mass amounts of produce. Unfortunately these chemicals tend to stay on the foods that are produced and sold in stores.
Organic farming is better for the environment. The practices used by organic farmers help reduce various types of pollution, including air, water and soil. They also conserve more water, increase the fertility of the surrounding soil, reduce soil erosion, and even use less energy. It is also beneficial for local wildlife. Without the wide use of harmful chemicals, the area is much more suitable for nearby animals and birds, as well as people who work at the farm or live nearby.
On the flip side, when eating non-organic and processed foods, there are many detriments to your health.
The majority of processed foods contain high amounts of sugar or high fructose corn syrup. This can lead to insulin resistance, increased cholesterol levels and fat accumulation in the liver. These symptoms can end up leading to fatal conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Worse than just the high amounts of sugar are all the added artificial ingredients. Ingredients used to make colors brighter, smells more flavorful and to make the food last longer. Things that all sound great, but they come with a cost. At this point, you’re not eating food anymore, you’re eating mostly chemicals.
When you’re not eating real food and you’re just eating chemicals, your food is very low in nutrients. The food may taste delicious, but it’s not doing anything healthy for your body. Some foods have synthetic vitamins and minerals added to compensate for what was lost during processing. These are not equal to the nutrients you would get in whole foods however. Real foods contain thousands of trace nutrients, rather than just a few “designer” nutrients added in through guilt. The more processed foods you eat, the less vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and trace nutrients you receive per meal.
So while organic foods may be a slight bit more expensive, it’s well worth it in the long run. You’re getting good, healthy food made by nature with no added chemicals. Eating processed foods are a good way to get a large number of medical conditions, or even just to shorten your life. All just to save a few pounds. Personally, I’d rather be healthy than have an extra few pounds in my pocket. But that’s just my opinion!
