The debate over the health benefits of eating organic foods versus conventionally grown foods has recently been growing lots of traction along with veganism and other special diets; eating healthy is becoming a very popular topic of discussion. Most Americans believe that the organic label is just a means of making more money for a product of equal quality to its non-organic counterpart and many studies even show that organic foods match in nutritional value with conventionally grown foods.
The higher cost of organic produce tends to scare most potential consumers away and plays a huge role in one’s choice to eat organic. However, proponents of organic foods argue that consumption offers many health benefits, that organic foods are more nutritionally rich, and that the little extra cost will save them thousands in hospital bills later in life.
Because of the two conflicting arguments on nutrition, the issue can become very two sided. However, although organic foods may not be more nutritionally rich, they are the safer choice as there is concrete evidence that they contain no pesticides, heavy metals, and unhealthy hormones.
Health Benefits
Due to the lack of supporting evidence, the nutritional content of organic produce and conventionally grown produce should not be considered when deciding whether or not to eat organic. However, organic foods do offer many more benefits to the body. In the article, “4 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Eating Organic” by Amanda Macmillan and Julia Naftulin, it mentions how the health benefits of eating organic can vary based upon the people you ask and the studies you consult. But if you do choose to go organic, they offer four science-backed bonuses that come in return: more healthy fats, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones, more antioxidants, and less pesticides (Macmillan and Naftulin 1). These four benefits may not seem like a huge deal, however, the impact they have on one’s health is monumental.
The article mentions that “when it comes to meat and milk, organic products can have about 50% more omega-3 fatty acids, a type of unsaturated healthy fat, than conventionally produced products” (Macmillan and Naftulin 1). Not only will eating organic allow one to receive a higher amount of important fats without increasing calorie intake, “organic meat and dairy also cannot contain synthetic hormones, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer” (Macmillan and Naftulin 1). That alone should push consumer’s to start buying and eating more organic foods.
In the article, “Organic Foods Contain Higher Levels of Certain Nutrients…” written by Walter Crinnion, these benefits are highlighted yet again. He states, “studies of organic fruits and vegetables consistently demonstrate that organic foods have greater antioxidant activity, are more potent suppressors of the mutagenic action of toxic compounds, and inhibit the proliferation of certain cancer cell lines” (4).
Eating organic will increase the healthy fats your body needs to function, help keep you safe from developing cancer cells, and help flush out toxins from your body; what more is needed to be convinced?
Attraction Towards a Holistically Healthy Lifestyle
Eating organic produce will no doubt make one’s body healthier, what makes it even more appealing is that most of those who eat organic will start to adopt healthier lifestyles. According to the article, “Effects of well-being, stress and a healthy lifestyle on preference of organic food” written by Amirul Hasan Ansari and Amogh Talan, a study was conducted that focused on the overall well-being of consumers and the relationship to organic foods. The study found that a preference for organic food was a significant predictor of a healthy, active, and less stressful lifestyle (Ansaria and Talan 648).
In the article, “Eat Organic – Feel Good? The Relationship between organic food consumption, health concern and subjective wellbeing” by Vanessa Apaolaza, Patrick Hartmann, Clare D’Souza, and Christina M. Lopez, a similar study was conducted which supported the hypothesis that happiness, pleasure, and wellbeing have a direct relationship to eating organic foods (51).
Eating organic foods creates a cascading effect of making better and healthier overall choices. Organic foods seem like the obvious choice not just for those who wish to live healthier lifestyles, but for those who simply wish to live a happier life; that is everyone!
No Hormones, No GMO’s, No Pesticides, No Herbicides
One of the main reasons people choose to eat organic is because organic farming methods do not spray pesticides on crops. Macmillan and Naftulin emphasize this as one of the four major benefits to eating organic and even include the fact that no synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and heavy metals are found on organic foods; the same cannot be said for conventionally grown foods (1).
Conventionally grown foods are grown in terrible, dirty, and cramped conditions to maximize the producer’s profits and little thought has been given to how the consumers are being affected. In the same article, it says “the commonly used herbicide Roundup has been classified as a ‘probable human carcinogen,’ and the insecticide chlorpyrifos has been associated with developmental delays in infants” (Macmillan and Naftulin 1). What’s absolutely jaw dropping is that not only does the consumption of organic foods fight off cancer cells, but those who choose to eat non-organically grown foods are actually consuming chemicals that have been defined as cancer causing!
In another article titled, “Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: a comprehensive review,” by Axel Mie, Helle Raun Anderson, Stefan Gunnarsson, Johannes Kahl, Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot, Ewa Rembialkowska, Gianluca Quaglio, and Philippe Grandjean, it is even mentioned that “epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of certain pesticides on children’s cognitive development at current levels of exposure” (1). The average American is literally being stuffed with food that contains unnatural substances that are attacking our bodies from the inside. It’s no wonder disease rates are continually on the incline in America; it all has to do with the food we eat.
Still Not Convinced?
Although the benefits to eating organic are crystal clear and proven by science, there are still plenty who refuse to believe organic foods make any difference in one’s health.
You won’t find any harmful pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or cancer-causing chemicals on organic food!
One of the most common claims you hear from these opponents of organic foods is that the amount of pesticide residue on conventionally grown foods is negligible. According to Macmillan and Naftulin, “while such chemicals have been deemed safe in the quantities used for conventional farming, health experts still warn about the potential harm of repeated exposure” (1). So to the critics, yes, the amount of pesticide residues, synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and cancer causing chemicals on each individual piece of conventionally grown produce do fall within the set safety limits. However, these foods are being eaten multiple times a day, in large quantities, every single day of the year; that negligible amount becomes monumental after just months of eating conventionally grown foods.
According to, “Obtaining Better Nutrients, Maintaining Health: The truth about organic foods and farming technique” by Carla Ferrer, what makes this even worse is that “the [safety] limits are based on animal studies, and scrutinized one pesticide at a time rather than cumulative amounts of several types” (55). The agencies that decide whether or not the chemicals on our foods are safe or not are literally using rats to predict the impact on human health. Ferrer goes on to say this is a huge problem because “The human brain is so much more complex than the rat brain, and our brain development is much more vulnerable because there are so many processes that have to happen at the right time and in the right sequence–you can’t go back and do them over” (55).
The procedure for developing the human safety limits on these pesticides is completely idiotic and exposes how unsafe these so-called safety limits really are. How can we trust an organization that is making safety limits based off of no factual evidence? Ferrer’s findings clearly demonstrate the set safety limits on these pesticides and harmful chemicals are really not safe at all, which means the negative impact of eating conventionally grown foods may be even worse than it appears.
Ok I’m convinced, but I’m still worried about cost…
The benefits of eating organic foods are clear, yet some people still choose not to purchase organic foods because of the increased cost; a few extra dollars really deters consumers from making the switch from conventional to organically grown foods.
While it is true that the cost does add up, one has to realize that their own health is in their control, and one of the best things one can do is invest in themselves and their health. When you think of all the benefits to eating organic and all of the risks associated with eating conventionally grown foods, it only makes sense to choose to pay a little extra for the better option. Choosing organic foods means you are steering clear of the cancer-causing chemicals, disease inducing pesticides, and hormones that turn boys into girls.
That little extra cost is paying for the health benefits, avoidance of toxins, and simply better quality food: “Organic food is fresher, more filling and free of additives…Organic food tastes better because it’s real. Conventional growing methods often produce tough, mealy, or tasteless fruits and vegetables, compared to organic…[and] having undergone no harmful treatments or additives, organic foods are naturally resistant to bacteria and decay” (Ferrer 55). The bottom line is that the cost is worth it; choosing to eat organic may be one of the best decisions of your life.
Some Tips To Save Money When Buying Organic
I. Buy in bulk from a local provider/farmer
II. Buy from a local farmers market
III. Buy organic foods when they are in season
IV. Bulk buy from local farmers with others
Wrap-Up
The debate over whether organic foods are better for one’s health than conventionally grown foods tends to focus only on a cloudy area full of conflicting evidence and beliefs on nutritional content. What’s usually looked over, yet most important to the debate, is the compelling evidence that proves that consuming conventionally grown foods actually worsens one’s health.
Cancer causing chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, and synthetic hormones are being consumed by the majority of the country so it should be no surprise that the instances of cancer, disease, and developmental issues continue to be on the rise. In this world full of disease, doctors blame medical conditions on genetic makeup, predisposition, or even bad luck. They fail to consider how much of a monumental impact food has on one’s health. Luckily, the organic food movement is growing momentum as more and more people realize the importance of feeding our bodies what they really need: all-natural, organic, and unprocessed foods.
Eating organic foods present so many health and lifestyle benefits and making the switch from conventionally grown foods could be one of the most rewarding decisions of your life. If there is still anything that leaves you skeptical of organic foods, just remember, you are what you eat.
This post was shared on the Homestead Blog Hop!
Sources
Ansari, Amirul Hasan and Amogh Talan. “Effects of Well-Being, Stress and a Healthy Lifestyle on Preference for Organic Food.” Indian Journal of Health & Wellbeing, vol. 8, no. 7, July 2017, pp. 648-654. EBSCOhost, cscc.ohionet.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,uid&db=a9h&AN=125123611&site=ehost-live.
Apaolaza, Vanessa, et al. “Eat Organic – Feel Good? The Relationship between Organic Food Consumption, Health Concern and Subjective Wellbeing.” Food Quality & Preference, vol. 63, Jan. 2018, pp. 51-62. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1016/j.foodqual.2017.07.011.
Crinnion, Walter J. “Organic Foods Contain Higher Levels of Certain Nutrients, Lower Levels of Pesticides, and May Provide Health Benefits for the Consumer.” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 15, no. 1, Apr. 2010, pp. 4-12. EBSCOhost, cscc.ohionet.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,uid&db=a9h&AN=50734051&site=ehost-live.
Ferrer, Carla. “Obtaining Nutrients, Maintaining Health: The Truth about Organic Foods and Farming Technique.” Lesbian News, vol. 42, no. 12, July 2017, pp. 54-55. EBSCOhost, cscc.ohionet.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,uid&db=a9h&AN=123908807&site=ehost-live.
MacMillan, Amanda and Julia Naftulin. “4 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Eating Organic.” Time.Com, 16 Aug. 2017, p. 1. EBSCOhost, cscc.ohionet.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,uid&db=a9h&AN=124635556&site=ehost-live.
Mie, Axel, et al. “Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review.” Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, vol. 16, 27 Oct. 2017, pp. 1-22. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4.
If you’re interested in going paleo, I wrote a tutorial that will explain everything and help you get started right now. In college? I’ve got a super detailed guide on how to maintain your diet and find the resources you need to stay healthy ! Have any questions about anything? I’m happy to help!
