What is Organic Food?
Because of the growing concern associated with genetically modified foods as well as the health concerns associated with a highly processed diet, organic food sales have steadily risen. According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic products exploded from 1990 to 2010 from just $1 billion annually to $26 billion. More consumers are switching to organic, but what exactly constitutes organic?
Organic Guidelines
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the organic food industry and defines what constitutes organic. According to their certification program, in order for food to be labeled 100% organic, it must meet the following requirements:
Crops (Whole foods such as fruits and vegetables)
- Must be free from irradiation
- May not have sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides used on them
- Prohibited from genetically modification
Livestock (Meat and dairy)
- Must be raised humanely
- Not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones
- Fed only 100% organic feed
- Given access to the outdoors
Processed Foods (Anything made with a combination of whole foods and/or meat/ dairy)
- Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
Image courtesy of wiki.geneseo.edu
Benefits of Eating Organic
Now that you are familiar with what the term “organic” actually means, you may be wondering whether it is worth the extra expense to eat organic. There are both health and environmental benefits of consuming an organic diet.
Health Benefits
One study published in Environmental Health Perspective discovered that most pesticide exposure comes from our diets. Exposure to organophosphorus pesticides, even at low levels, can increase the risk of ADHD in children as well as hinder neurological function. Organic foods have not been sprayed with these pesticides, reducing the risk of associated health complications from them.
Eliminating meat and dairy products from animals that have been given antibiotics and growth hormones reduces the risk of digestive trouble and infections due to an imbalance in internal gut flora. It also minimizes exposure to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) that may contribute to certain cancers such as breast and prostate cancers.
Environmental Benefits
Organic, sustainable farming methods help to reduce farmers’ exposure to pesticides as well as reduce air and water pollution. Genetically modified seeds are not spread into the wild, where they may grow freely while reducing other valuable plant species.
Is Organic Food Better For You?
Some do not have confidence in in the benefits of organic foods and there are many critics who do not understand the higher cost (mostly due to the expensive certification process). However, if you are able to make the switch to eating organic, you will probably experience the benefits for yourself and become a believer.
Research has determined that pesticides pose a danger to our health, as do food additives that many processed foods contain. Though organic foods may have the same nutritional value of conventionally-grown foods, they do not contain most of the toxins of traditional food.
Bottom line: eat organic whenever possible for maximum health benefits from your food and to support farmers who are working toward a sustainable organic farming future.
- Foods to buy Organic - February 11, 2014
- What is Organic Food? - February 4, 2014