How many of you guys buy all or some of your food organic? Well is it really a good thing, or not? We’ll give you a hint… it’s not actually a good thing, it’s a GREAT thing. We’ve got the facts to back it up too! Keep reading to learn about what organic food really means and 10 reasons why your should go Organic!
Let’s get down to it, what does organic really mean? Well "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as veggies, grains, fruits, meat, and dairy products. If you are a farmer who grows organic foods you don’t use conventional methods to control and fertilize weeds. You use all natural fertilizers and mulch to control weeds and nourish the soil.
So, in order to be considered organic the food must meet the following requirements:
"Organic crops must be grown in safe soil, have no modifications, and must remain separate from conventional products. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.
Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given organic feed. They may not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products.”
So check the label to see if the food you are purchasing is organic, and don’t be fooled “natural” or “all-natural” is not the same thing as organic.
10 Benefits to Eating Organically:
1. The antioxidant levels in food that is grown organically are much higher and have more of a positive impact.
2. Organic food just tastes better: Organic food is usually fresher because it doesn’t contain preservatives that make it last longer, hence the better taste.
3. Organic food produces less pesticides and chemicals. The chemical build up of pesticides in our bodies could lead to health issues such as headaches, birth defects, and added strain on weakened immune systems.
“The National Academy of Sciences reports that 90% of the chemicals applied to foods have not been tested for long-term health effects before being deemed “safe.” Further, the FDA tests only 1% of foods for pesticide residue. The most dangerous and toxic pesticides require special testing methods, which are rarely if ever employed by the FDA.”
4. Organic food actually contains more nutrients!
“On average, organically grown foods provide: 21.1% more iron (than their conventional counterparts); 27% more vitamin C; 29.3% more magnesium; 13.6% more phosphorus”
5. It’s environmentally safer: Harmful chemicals are not used in organic farming, so there is minimal soil, air and water pollution. It uses less energy and increases soil fertility.
6. Eating organic avoids the use of antibiotics, drugs, and growth hormones in animals, and promotes animal welfare.
"Antibiotics, drugs, and growth hormones are directly passed into meat and dairy products. Tens of millions of pounds of antibiotics are used in animal feed every year. The union of concerned scientists estimates that roughly 70% of antibiotics produced in the United States are fed to animals for non-therapeutic purposes."
7. Eating organic food can help prevent cancer and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
"CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid that can boost cardiovascular protection, and it is found in higher quantities in breast milk and in meat for animals that have been raised free range or cage-free."
8. Organic food contains no GMO’s.
"Genetically modified food showed a major reduction in immune system strength, an increase in birth mortality, as well as in certain sexual dysfunctions, cancers, and sensitivity to allergens. Although there are some good things about genetically modified food, organic food advocates point to the lack of concrete details about the long-term effects."
9. You are less likely to have a hangover when you drink organic wine because they are free of sulphur dioxide (the preservative used in non-organic wine that is said to cause the hangover.)
10. Invest in a better future with organic foods. The food industry is a $1 trillion market in America. Spending money on organic food supports a sustainable future for more generations to come.