Organic Products 101: Healthier or Not?
With increased interest and improved technology, buying organic food is much less of a hassle than it was a decade ago. Companies have made increasingly greater profits as production and demand has grown. Many health stores and large chains are buying into the organic trend.
The main reason for the increased popularity of organic is that organic foods are produced in a manner that is healthier than traditional products. Organic produce is grown without the aid of synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides. This goes for meat and milk too, where the animals are fed only organic products. It would seem as though the organic method is completely positive, however, organic does not mean the same thing in all cases.
With organic animal products, it can truthfully be said that they are safer than animals raised with the currently standard procedure. The toxin levels are reduced, and the risk for diseases such as mad cow are lower as well. Additionally, the threat of humans developing antibiotic resistance due to the substances in the meat is non-existent.
In regard to baby food, organic is a smart and preferable option. Due to their weaker immune systems, babies are more prone to developing illnesses from the chemicals in inorganic foods. The way baby food is produced also results in a higher concentration of the impure substances. Because of this, organic is a safer choice.
The most well known part of organic produce is that they contain no synthetic chemicals. However, with some fruits and vegetables, they retain minimal traces of the pesticide, so organic buying does not offer a huge advantage. Fruits such as this include: pineapples, mangos, broccoli, and sweet corn. With other fruits, though, it is better to buy organic, as they do retain high traces of the chemicals used. These fruits include: peaches, potatoes, celery, and berries.
It is debatable whether processed organic foods offer greater health benefits than standard ones. Organic foods are often mixed with inorganic foods, and nutrients are lost during the production process. To find the healthiest possible food, look for a “USDA organic” label.
Seafood labeled as organic has no real added value. The USDA has no specific standards, so companies are able to easily manipulate the use of the word organic.
If you decide to buy organic food, make sure the food is truly organic. If not, you could possibly be denied health advantages that you would expect from organic.
