Not getting all the fuss over organic food? That’s perfectly understandable, especially since they all tend to come with ridiculously exorbitant price tags. Simply heading over to the organic aisle in the supermarket can give any discerning shopper on a budget an instant heart attack. Organic food are simple enough to understand even though countries vary when it comes to specific definitions, requirements, and regulations. In general, most organic plant-based foods are produced without using any pesticides and have not been genetically modified in any way. Meanwhile, organic animal-based food products are generally derived from organically fed free-range animals. Since they tend to be expensive, the next best thing you should definitely do is to start with certain products such as eggs and dairy. Check the labels and ensure that they have been produced by organic farms that practice all the right procedures. Still unconvinced? Here are just five of the many reasons why you should go organic.
Environmentally-Friendly Living
Organic food are more environmentally-friendly since farms that produce them usually practice techniques that reduce pollution. These include forgoing the use of pesticides which are major soil and water pollutants and smarter usage of water that allows greater conservation. Organic farms also tend to use natural fertilisers, rather than industrial ones, which increase soil fertility naturally. Animals that dwell underground remain unharmed and the surrounding ecosystem may thrive in the long run. On top of that, organic farms also usually utilise far less energy than mainstream farms that are more focused on mass production of food. Going organic means doing our bit in helping the rest of the world save our home little by little.
More Nutrient-Dense
Organically produced agricultural products also tend to be more nutrient-dense, which essentially means that they contain far more nutrients that are important for your health. Research indicates that organic meat and dairy products contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than those that are produced by conventional farms. These are healthy fats that are absolutely essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure and even improve the appearance of your hair. Pregnant women, especially, need more omega-3 fatty acids, which is why you may often hear people advising them to consume more organic food. Moreover, the consumption of more omega-3 fatty acids can also slow down ageing in your skin since it helps build up your skin’s natural resistance to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun. The resultant effect is much smoother-looking skin, free from fine lines that may make you look older than you actually are.
Another study that adds to growing evidence of organic food being far more nutritionally dense is one that proved that organic onions contain more antioxidants than conventionally grown ones. You may be aware of a growing body of research which supports a link between antioxidants and their ability to aid in slowed ageing in skin cells. This is all the more reason to consider going organic!
Safer For Consumption
Since agricultural products that have been grown organically do not involve the use of industrially made fertilisers and harmful pesticides, they also tend to be much safer for consumption. Some of these pesticides are reportedly safe as long as they are used in small quantities but prolonged consumption of products that are grown around them may be much more harmful than you realise. For instance, numerous studies have found herbicides that may also be carcinogens. In other words, consuming them puts you at greater risk of suffering from cancer. Some even indicate that certain conventional farms use fertilisers that contain cadmium, which can lead to kidney and liver failure.
Fresher Produce
Another upside of going organic is freshness guaranteed. Organic farms are usually smaller and steer away from the use of preservatives that are more likely to be used in major conventional farms that focus on mass production. Unlike conventional farms, they do not need to prevent their products from spoiling too soon since they tend to focus on immediately selling them to consumers. This means that you will always know for sure that what you are consuming is completely fresh — the difference in taste can truly be significant! Furthermore, you will be more inclined to consume them immediately, rather than leaving them out and ultimately forgetting all about it.
Avoid Antibiotic Resistance
Finally, going organic means that you will always be safe from building a resistance to antibiotics that may happen when you consume conventionally farmed animal products. Some conventional farms inject animals under their care with antibiotics, traces of which may remain when they are sold to you. By contrast, organic farms strictly steer away from the use of antibiotics in any aspect of their operations, whether it involves injections or feeding. This ensures that every organic animal products, including eggs, are always free from antibiotics.