Organic food is
becoming more and more popular and everyone wants to know its real benefits. Many
consumers believe that organic foods are healthier than conventional ones: this
is why demand has been growing steadily in recent years.
Buying
organic food nowadays is a great way to respect the environment, plants,
animals and our own health, but it don't apply to all foods.
There
has been a lot of confusion over the years on the topic of products derived
from agriculture and organic farming. And if you read the ingredients
contained in the products you buy, especially those that guarantee a
"natural" production, you could find labels that indicate
"organic" products that simply cannot be organic for the very
definition of organic.
In
Europe, the organic product must be certified as it corresponds to specific
requirements regulated by a legal device, by EC Reg. 834/2007 and
subsequent amendments.
In
this regulation we talk about plants, feed, and animals, with their products,
and it is said that no minerals or inorganic substances must be used for their
cultivation or breeding.
In
principle, a plant is organic if grown without chemical fertilizers and without
chemical pesticides.
An animal is organic if it does not take antibiotics (except for the danger of life or
overt illnesses and provided that antibiotic residues are not found in
slaughtered meats and derived products) if it can graze freely in the fields
and if it does not take hormones.
And
if he only eats organic feed; it is also when cereal rations and feed for
fattening are allowed in the last 30 days, the same feed must in turn derive
from organic farming.
In this case, the label becomes an essential element, to know if what we are
buying is really organic or not. Organic foods are labeled "Produced
from organic farming" or "Produced in organic farms".
Why eat organic?
So,
does organic food have any benefits? The short answer is yes. There
is some evidence available today that suggests that organic foods have health
benefits for humans.
But
beyond that, there are other benefits of organic food, including animal welfare
and positive environmental factors.
Here
are thirteen good reasons to include organic foods in your diet.
1. Away to allergies
How
food is grown or raised can have a major impact on mental and emotional health
and the environment. Foods of this type often have more beneficial
nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally grown counterparts.
Additionally,
people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives often see their
symptoms diminish (or even disappear) when they eat only organic foods.
2. No pesticides
Chemicals
such as fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are widely used in conventional
agriculture and residues remain in the foods we eat. Organic products
contain much less.
3. Freshness on the table
Organic
food is often fresher because it does not contain preservatives, making it
last longer. Foods of this type are often (but not always, so always check
where they come from) produced on smaller farms, close to where they are sold.
4. In tune with the environment
Organic
farming is better for the environment. Organic farming practices decrease
pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility and
consume less energy.
Pesticide-free
farming is even better for animals and people who live near farms.
5. Without antibiotics
Organically
raised animals do not receive antibiotics, growth hormones and are not fed
animal by-products.
Feeding
livestock by-products increase the risk of mad cow disease (BSE) and the use
of antibiotics can create bacterial strains that are resistant to these
substances.
Organically
raised animals have more room to move and access the outdoors, which helps keep
them healthy.
6. Free of GMOs
Genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) or genetically modified (GE) foods are plants whose
DNA has been altered in a way that cannot occur in nature or in traditional
crossbreeds, most commonly to resist pesticides or produce an insecticide. Organic
food is devoid of it.
7. More antioxidants
Levels
of antioxidants in organic plants can be over 60% higher than those grown
conventionally.
Numerous
studies have pointed out that healthy organic food can increase antioxidant
content, helping protect cells from deterioration.
8. Effective protection
Research
has also found that organic diets can benefit the immune system, growth and
reproduction.
A
number of comparative studies on the health value of organic foods have shown
lower nitrate content, fewer pesticide residues, and higher levels of vitamin
C, phenolic compounds, and omega-3 fatty acids.
9. Higher levels of healthy
fatty acids
A European study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2016 found that
organic milk and meat contain around 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than
conventionally produced milk and meat.
In
this study, led by researchers from multiple universities and research
institutes, including Newcastle University, the Norwegian Institute for
Biochemical Research and the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, over 150
articles on milk were examined. and 67 articles on meat.
In this context, notable differences were found between organic and conventional
milk and meat, particularly in terms of fatty acid content, but also in
concentrations of some essential minerals and antioxidants.
"Omega-3s
are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological
development and function, and improved immune function," said Chris Seal,
university professor of food and human health. "Our study suggests
that switching to organic (milk and meat) would help improve the intake of
these important nutrients."
10. A defense for the heart
Longer
grazing time on grass also increases the amount of CLA (conjugated linoleic
acid) found in animal products. CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid that can
increase cardiovascular protection and is found in higher quantities in breast
milk and meat from free-range animals.
11. Healthier in general
Since
organic food is not prepared using chemical fertilizers, it does not contain
any trace of these harsh substances and may not affect the human body in a
negative way.
Natural
fertilizers, such as manure, work perfectly well and organic farmers are happy
to use this smelling, but safer, fertilizer.
12. It tastes better
Many
believe that organic food tastes better than conventional foods. The main
reason for this opinion is the fact that it is produced using biological means.
Additionally,
organic food is often sold locally, resulting in fresh produce being available
on the market, which usually tastes better than products that have been frozen,
shipped, and transported over long distances.
13. It's good for children
Organic
products are healthier foods. They may contain higher amounts of vitamins,
minerals, and antioxidants. These are important benefits for the
development of children, as they do not expose their organism, which is more
sensitive to toxins, to potentially harmful chemicals.